Softball Rules & Regs
This is the total number of players on the field at one time for a standard fastpitch softball defense.
What is 9?
This piece of protective gear is worn by catchers (and sometimes infielders) to protect their faces.
What is a facemask/helmet?
With a runner on third base and less than two outs, a batter intentionally hits a high fly ball to the outfield to score the runner. This type of play is called a "sacrifice" what?
What is a sacrifice fly?
True or False: A regulation "yellow" softball is actually exactly the same size as a baseball.
What is False? (Softballs are significantly larger).
This is the traditional gesture teams do in the handshake line after a game while saying "good game."
What is a high-five?
If a batter gets four balls, they are awarded this and get to go to first base.
What is a walk?
When a batter strikes out looking at a third strike without swinging, it is often written in the scorecard as this letter, but flipped backward.
What is a K?
There is a runner on first base. The batter hits a grounder right to the shortstop. The shortstop should throw to this base first for the easiest out.
What is second base? (Because of the force out).
In 2028, this major worldwide sporting event held every four years will officially bring softball back to the competitive stage in Los Angeles.
What are the Olympic Games?
Name three things your team chants or sings from the dugout to cheer on a batter.
Any cheer accepted
This occurs when a fielder catches a fly ball, and a baserunner must touch their original base after the catch before they can run to the next one.
What is tagging up?
This is the nickname for the area where pitchers warm up before entering the game.
What is the bullpen?
When a batter lightly taps the ball intentionally so it rolls slowly down the baseline, forcing the defense to charge in, it’s called this.
What is a bunt?
Despite its name, softball was actually invented indoors in 1887 in this windy Illinois city.
What is Chicago?
If a teammate makes an error on the field, this is the best and most supportive thing you can yell to them.
What is "Get the next one!" or something similar
If there are runners on first and second base with less than two outs, and the batter hits a high, easily catchable popup in the infield, the umpire will call this rule, automatically declaring the batter out.
What is the Infield Fly Rule?
Softball players use this sticky, powdery substance derived from tree sap to get a better grip on the bat.
What is pine tar (or rosin)?
The batter hits a deep ball to the outfield fence. The outfielder fields it cleanly and throws it to the shortstop, who then quickly fires it to the catcher to tag out a runner trying to score. In this play, the shortstop acted as the what?
What is the relay (or cutoff) player?
The first-ever softball game was played using a rolled-up boxing glove as a ball and this household cleaning item as a bat.
What is a broomstick?
This is the word used to describe a player who supports their teammates, works hard, listens to coaches, and maintains a positive attitude even when losing.
What is a good sport (or good teammate)?
Something similar
This is the exact distance (in feet) from the back of home plate to the front of the pitching rubber in middle school/high school fastpitch softball.
What is 43 feet?
If a coach yells "Turn two!", they are asking the defense to pull off this exciting play.
What is a double play?
The defense has "the bases loaded." This means the catcher can get an out at home plate just by doing this, without needing to tag the runner.
What is touching/stepping on home plate? (A force out).
If you are a hitter who loves an inside pitch, watch out! According to the official rulebook, if a pitch comes inside, accidentally hits you directly on the hands while you are gripping the bat, and you did not swing, what is the umpire's ruling?
What is a Hit by Pitch / Take your base?
Name the mascot, team colors, and the one of the coach's favorite phrase or rule.
Answers vary