Softball is an activity that came from baseball, thrown underhand by a pitcher and hit by a batter with a bat . A softball game consists of at least 7 innings. In each inning, each team bats until three batters have been put out. The Play begins with the umpire saying "Play Ball". Softball is the most popular participant sport in the United States. Softball can be enjoyed by children, teenagers, and adults. Fast Pitch softball is a very defensive, pitcher-oriented game. The pitcher delivers the ball at maximum speed with little to no arc. The ball is colored bright yellow with red seams. The pitch is very similar to that of one thrown by a baseball pitcher, but the two differ primarily in their throwing styles and release points is lower than or equal to the height of the catcher's glove. Slow Pitch softball gives batters more dominance by making it easier for them to hit the ball.
The bases are numbered counter clockwise as first base, second base, and third base. Often, but not always, outside first base and adjacent and connected to it there is a contrast-colored "double base" or "safety base". It is intended to prevent collisions between the first baseman and the runner. The runner runs for the foul portion of the double base after hitting the ball while the fielding team tries to throw the ball to the regular first base before the runner reaches the safety base. 20070720 Softball Parks Baseball