By Staff Writer

Softball is a team sport game resembling baseball; it is very popular in the United States. George Hancock in Chicago, Illinois, invented it.  Softball is played in a smaller diamond than in baseball, the ball is larger and softer, and the bat is slightly different in terms of size and shape. The bat can be wooden or made of aluminum.  The rules of both game is significantly similar. To play the game the required equipment are a bat, glove, ball, protective gears like helmet, shin guards, chest protector, and uniforms if they is necessary. Before the start of the game always practice to warm up the body to avoid any injury, and to perform better.

First let's set-up the field.

  1. Position four bases on the four corners of a diamond shaped line into the field. The distance of all four bases should be equal. The base where the batter will stand is the home plate. The first base will always start on the right side of the diamond then the second and third bases follow.
  2. Place a marker in the center of the diamond. This is where the pitcher will stand.
  3. The catcher is positioned behind the batter.
  4. Outfield is composed of a right fielder, center fielder, and left fielder that are positioned past the bases.

Rules to play the game.

  1. The game begins when the umpire says the words "Play Ball." Always hit the ball that was pitched by the pitcher, as long as the ball reaches the strike zone. If the pitcher pitches the ball out of strike zone four times, the player will walk to first base. But when the ball is hit, the runner will run to the first base, second base, or even third base. It's the decision of the runner, and it all depends where the ball is and if it was caught already. If the ball was caught on a certain base before the runner reaches that base, the runner is out.
  2. When the runner reaches the home plate, it is a "run" and there is a score.
  3. The rule is there should be a player that already reached the home plate, so the other runners can advance to the next base just by hitting the ball.
  4. When the batter reaches three strikes, the batter is out. For each three outs for each team, the team is going to switch between the field and the batting.
  5. The team with the most number of runs after seven innings will win the game.

The team should consist of players that are good in catching, hitting, and running really fast, to score consistently, and to win the game. Each team has individual uniforms. The uniform consists of a cap, shirt, baseball pants, socks and cleates.