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Softball is directly descended from baseball and thus contains many similarities, however there are several pronounced differences. The primary reason for these differences is that softball was originally intended to be played indoors.
Most of the differences between fastpitch softball and slowpitch softball are designed to give batters more dominance and make offense more important.
Table of Comparison
This list is incomplete
| Rule or Term | Baseball | Fastpitch Softball | Slowpitch Softball |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equipment: Ball | 9 inches (23 cm) in circumference | 12 or 11 inches (30 or 28 cm) in circumference, less dense than a baseball | often same as fastpitch softball, special 14 or 16 inch (36 or 41 cm) balls rarely used, less dense than a baseball |
| Equipment: Bat | no longer than 42 inches / 106 cm | no longer than 34 inches / 86 cm | no longer than 34 inches / 86 cm |
| Field: Baselines | 90 feet / 27 m | 60 feet / 18 m | 60 feet / 18 m (longer distances in some levels) |
| Field: Outfield Fence | can vary distance from home plate | constant distance from home plate | constant distance from home plate |
| Field: Pitcher's Position | mound 60 feet, 6 inches (18.5 m) from home | no mound, 8 foot (2.5 m) circle 40 feet / 12 m (women's high school and amateur), 43 feet / 13 m (women's college and international) or 46 feet / 14 m (men) from home plate | no mound, 8 foot (2.5 m) circle, 50? feet (15? m) from home plate |
| Number of Players | nine | nine (before 1946, ten) | ten (either a rover or shortfielder, or a left center and right center fielder) |
| Play: Length of Game | 9 innings (7 in the high school level and in Minor League/college doubleheaders) | 7 innings | 7 innings |
| Play: Base Stealing | Allowed at any time the ball is "live". | When ball leaves pitcher's hand. | When ball crosses edge of home plate or touches ground, in some levels only. |
| Play: Bunting | allowed | allowed | not allowed |
| Play: First Base | only one first base | only one first base | runner reaches safety base in foul territory, fielders make play at regular 1st base |
| Play: Pitching | any way, but usually overhand | underhand, very fast | underhand, must arc above batter's head; pitcher is occasionally from the offensive team. Automatic ball can be called if pitch is declared "too flat" or "too high". |
"Comparison of baseball and softball"