The game of softball is a modification of baseball that has become one of the more popular recreational sports in the world. It has many of the same rules and it’s older brother, but some of the rules, as well as the equipment used, is different. The primary difference is that the ball that is used in a softball game is larger than the baseball, the diamond is smaller, and there is an underhand delivery used when pitching. If you want to play softball you must know the basic equipment that you will need before taking the field.
• Softball- The ball that is used in a softball game is around 11 to 12 inches in circumference. There are actually two sizes, but the difference is hardly noticeable. Although the game is called “softball,” the ball used is still pretty hard, though not quite as hard as a baseball.
• Gloves- There are several types of softball gloves used to play the game. The catcher and first baseman wear mitts, since it makes catching the ball easier due to its bigger circumference as well as a deeper pocket. The rest of the team will wear fingered gloves. A catchers mitt for softball should have ample padding to protect the catcher’s hand on hard-thrown pitches. There are no specific colors required for the gloves, but it is forbidden in most leagues to wear ball-printed gloves since it may create the illusion of a caught ball.
• Bat- There are a lot of softball bats that can be purchased at any sporting goods shop. The normal bat is about 34 inches long and weighs around 24-28 ounces. The material that is used for the bat can vary but usually it is made of aluminum. Some players like to use baseball bats when playing softball, but it’s generally better to use a bat made for softball as the barrel of a softball bat is designed to find the sweet spot of the larger ball.
• Cleats- The cleats that are required for softball have spikes that must not go beyond 3/4 inch. The help support your ankles and arches as you play.
• Uniform- The players should wear baseball caps and the color of the caps should match the rest of the team. The jerseys of each team should have the specific player number and should be visible so that they can be identified easily.
• Protective equipment- Protective softball equipment is very important so that accidents can be avoided. The catcher should wear a face mask, shin guards, and chest protector- particularly in fastpitch softball when the pitcher can often reach speeds of over 80 MPH. The batters should wear helmets to protect their heads as the bat.
