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Softball is a modified form of baseball, played on a smaller field with a larger, softer ball, seven rather than nine innings, and with underarm pitching. There are two main types of softball: fastpitch and slow pitch. Softball differs from baseball in that the pitchers throw underhand (with the hand below shoulder level).

Softball started in 1887 in Chicago as an indoor game. It was previously known as indoor base ball. Softball also became a part of the Olympics from 1996 to 2008 but was removed starting 2012, and is now back on the program for 2020 (jointly with baseball). The International Softball Federation holds world championships in different categories.

The aim is to get as many players to home plate as possible, usually by hitting the ball. The ball used in softball is not actually soft. It is larger than a baseball: weighing about 6.25-7.0oz for fastpitch and 5.87-6.12oz for slowpitch.

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Similar Sports

• Fast Pitch Softball — the competitive form of softball, where the pitcher's arm rotates 360 degrees around the shoulder until the ball is released from the hand.
• Slow Pitch Softball — a version of softball where the ball is pitched from 50 feet with half a windmill underhand arm action.
• Baseball5 — a five-on-five, five-inning street version of the game of baseball/softball that can be played anywhere.
• Baseball — a bat and ball game in which the aim is to hit the ball and score runs by running around four bases.
• Over-the-line — a bat-and-ball sport related to baseball and softball with just 3 people per team. Unlike the other sports, the batter and pitcher are on the same team.
• T-Ball — an introductory sport for younger kids to baseball and softball, with the ball hit off a stationary tee.
• Softball Throw — a track and field discipline in which you throw the ball as far as possible, mostly used in competitions for disadvantaged groups as a substitute for other technical throwing events.
• Indoor Base Ball — indoor variation of baseball that was a precusor to modern softball (not played anymore)

Related Pages

• Softball at the Olympics
• Baseball vs. Softball — a discussion of their differences and similarities.
• Which sport is fitter - softball or baseball?
• Softball Throw fitness test
• Complete list of sports
• The Encyclopedia of Sports