What are the differences between softball and baseball?
Softball is a descendent of baseball, so they are very much alike but with some key differences. First of all, baseball is widely considered to be a sport played by men and softball is considered to be a sport played by women. In high school, boys play baseball and girls play softball. However, the gender separation is beginning to disappear. The New York Times reported that over 1200 high school girls played baseball for their high school teams this past year, and the number is likely to grow. All over the world, softball is played competitively between corporations, recreational departments, and bars with both men and women competing. However, at a professional level, the gender line remains clear. Major League Baseball is an all-male pro baseball league, and the National Pro Fastpitch league is an all-female pro softball league.
Second, one of the more noticeable differences is that pitchers in baseball are required to pitch overhand, and softball pitchers pitch underhand. The size of the softball makes it difficult to pitch overhand.
Third, the two sports are played with two different balls. A baseball is small (9 in. or 22.9 cm. in diameter) and light whereas a softball is normally bigger (11-12 in. or 27.9-30.5 cm. in diameter), but less dense than a baseball.
Fourth, a baseball diamond is bigger than a softball diamond. According to OfficialRules.org, the baseline of a baseball diamond in 90 feet (27.4 meters) long, compared to a softball baseline, which is 60 feet (18.3 meters long). All in all, a baseball diamond’s total circumference is 360 feet (109.7 meters), whereas a softball diamond’s circumference is 240 feet (73.2 meters).
There are even two different types of softball: fastpitch and slowpitch. Fastpitch is the game you are probably accustomed to watching; high school and professional teams play this type of softball. Slowpitch is more popular to play recreationally because of its laid-back pace and atmosphere. There are some differences between the two games as well. Slowpitch requires the ball to be pitched in an arc that falls right over the plate. However, the umpire can call a foul pitch if the arc is too high or too low. Fastpitch is much like baseball; the ball must pass directly over the plate. Slowpitch bats are thicker and bigger, so that the center of gravity in the bat is higher, therefore making it easier to hit the ball further. There are ten players out on a slowpitch game, whereas fastpitch only has nine.
There is a main difference between softball and baseball. First… obvious softball is played with a bigger ball. SEcond, is that the pitcher pitches underhand in softball and over hand in baseball. Many people or at least guys believe that baseball is better than softball, its more traditional and has been around longer. WEll i tell you what, softball is just as hard if not harder than “baseball”. Softball goes alot quicker too. Ok, let me refraise my self, fast-pitch softball is at least as hard if harder. However, slo-pitch softball is not hard ot play while it does require skill, it does not require fast hand eye coordination when hitting the ball. Someone who goes from hitting the ball at 60 mph+ some to hitting the ball at 20 mph or less will prob miss the ball 8 out of 10 times for swinging too fast. Thus concluding that there are major yet minor differneces between softball and baseball, and which one is better is up to you… just depends on basically what sex you are, or what
