How to play softball
Last updated: September 21, 2025
Softball is a team sport played between two teams of nine or ten players, depending on the format. The objective is to score more runs than the other team by hitting the ball and safely advancing around the bases to home plate.
One team plays offence (batting) while the other plays defence (fielding). Offensively, players take turns batting, trying to reach base through hits, walks, or errors, and eventually scoring by circling the bases. Defensively, the pitcher throws to the batter while fielders try to record outs by catching fly balls, throwing runners out, or striking batters out.
Softball games are usually seven innings long, with each inning split into a top and bottom half, giving both teams a turn at bat.
Expert Answer
This answer has been verified by the Slo-Pitch Central team with expertise in softball and slo-pitch baseball.
