Softball

Softball

A pitcher about to deliver a fastpitch (windmill pitch), where the ball is released while the hand is primarily below the ball
Highest governing body	World Baseball Softball Confederation
First played	1887; 137 years ago (1887), United States
Characteristics
Contact	Limited
Team members	2 teams of 9 or 10
Equipment	Softball Softball bat Softball glove Bases Batting gloves
Presence
Olympic	1996–2008, 2020
World Games	1981, 1985 Invitational: 2009–2013

Softball is a sport similar to baseball, and it is played with a larger ball on a smaller field and with only underhand pitches (where the ball is released while the hand is primarily below the ball) permitted.^[1] Softball is played competitively at club levels, the college level, and the professional level. The game was first created in 1887 in Chicago by George Hancock.

There are two rule sets for softball generally: slow pitch softball and fastpitch. Slow pitch softball is commonly played recreationally, while women's fastpitch softball is a Summer Olympic sport and can be played professionally.

Depending on the variety being played and the age and gender of the players, the particulars of the field and equipment will also vary. While distances between bases of 60 feet are standard across varieties, the pitcher's plate ranges from 35 to 43 feet away from home plate, and the home run fence can be 220 to 300 feet away from home plate.^[2] The ball itself is typically 11 or 12 inches (28 or 30 centimetres) in circumference, though this also depends on specifics of the competition. Softball rules vary in certain aspects from those of baseball. The game moves at a faster pace than traditional baseball due to the field being smaller and the bases and the fielders being closer to home plate. Softball is pitched underhand from flat ground.