1. SOFTBALL

2. HISTORY The earliest known softball game was played in Chicago, Illinois on Thanksgiving Day, 1887. The ball, being soft, was fielded barehanded. In 1991, women’s fast-pitch softball was selected to debut at the 1996 Summer Olympics.

3. EQUIPMENT Bats Bases Softballs

4. HOW TO PLAY Teams consist of 10 players: 1 st baseman, 2 nd baseman, 3 rd baseman, Shortstop, Left fielder, Left center fielder, Right fielder, Right center field, Right field, Pitcher, Catcher Pitcher for the visitor team pitches the ball to the first batter for the home team Game length is 7 innings A run is scored when an offensive player becomes a base runner and runs around all the bases until he/she touches home plate The winner is the team that scored the most runs in regulation. If the score is tied after seven innings, teams play extra innings if time allows.

5. SOFTBALL SAFETY Players should wear proper softball cleats, fielding gloves when catching thrown or batted balls, and helmets when batting. Players should be aware of the field spacing and their specific positions. Players not in the current game should stay away from the playing area. Make sure the playing field is debris free. Practice proper communication.

6. SOFTBALL FIELD

7. FIELDING When a player makes a defensive play on a ball FIELDING VIDEO

8. BATTING When a player hits the ball that has been pitched BATTING VIDEO

9. BASE RUNNING Strategies used to run the bases. You are always allowed to overrun first base. BASE RUNNING VIDEO

10. PITCHER Player that pitches the ball to the batter using an underhand motion UNDERHAND PITCH VIDEO

11. STRIKE ZONE The area over the plate from knees of the batter to the shoulders

12. BALL & WALK BALL A pitch that is out of the strike zone WALK 4 balls, pitches that are out of the strike zone

13. STRIKEOUT When the player does not hit the ball after 3 strikes

14. FLYBALL A ball that is hit high up into the air; If caught it equals an out

15. BASE One of four stations that must be reached in order to score a run 1 st BASE 2 nd BASE 3 rd BASE HOME PLATE

16. FAIR & FOUL FAIR BALL A ball that is put into play within the field of play FOUL BALL Ball hit out of the playing area before it reaches 1 st or 3 rd base.

17. HIT, RUN & OUT HIT A ball hit/kicked such that the batter can advance safely to a base without aid OUT Having had one's plate appearance ended by the team on the field: by catching a fly ball, getting three strikes, or throwing the ball to the base before the forced runner gets there RUN A point scored by touching home plate after touching all other bases

18. INFIELDERS 1 st baseman, 2 nd baseman, short stop, 3 rd baseman, catcher, and pitcher

19. OUTFIELDERS Right center fielder, left center fielder, left fielder, and right fielder