Baseball and softball are cousins: they share the same idea of hitting, running and scoring, but they differ in the ball, the field size and, above all, how the ball is pitched.
The main differences
Softball uses a bigger, softer ball and pitches it underhand, unlike baseball’s overhand delivery. The softball field is smaller, the bases sit closer together, and the game lasts 7 innings instead of 9. The pitcher’s mound is a flat circle, not a raised hill.
Same family, different game
Softball is often played by women and in mixed or recreational settings, and it’s an Olympic sport. Because the distances are shorter, everything happens faster: the pitcher stands about 43 feet from the plate, versus roughly 60 feet in baseball, so hitters have less time to react.
FAQ
What’s the biggest difference?
The underhand pitch and the bigger, softer ball in softball.
How many innings does softball have?
Seven, versus nine in baseball.
