FAQs

What is softball? Think back to playing rounders at school ... its a mix of rounders and baseball, played outdoors on a grassy field with a bat and a ball. No doubt the more macho softballers would think the game is more like baseball than rounders, but the version of the game the League plays is Slowpitch softball which has some rules that make it more like rounders as well. What is slowpitch softball? There are different versions of softball. The League plays slowpitch (as the alternative is fastpitch). Slowpitch is as it says - the ball is pitched slowly underarm. All matches are mixed. Is the ball soft? Sorry, but no. Its a big hard ball. Why is it called softball then? Don’t really know. Dennis the Menace would say its because it is ‘baseball for softies’. Which isn’t far from the truth, because a softball is a lot easier to hit and to catch than a baseball. But the game is still competitive and a lot of fun. I want to play, but I’ve never done it before? No problem whatsoever. There are plenty of teams around the area that will accept complete beginners. Will I be able to join in real games though? Yes, definitely. Joining as a beginner doesn’t mean you’ll spend ages training and never playing. Playing games is the best way to learn the game and most teams are keen to get new players stuck right in soon after learning the basics. How do I join a team? Contact a team directly if there are contact details on their team page. Or contact the League and we’ll put you in touch with the best team for you. How much does playing softball cost? Teams charge membership fees to join them. A typical cost might be £45-£50 for the season, but this does vary from team to team. Most will let you practice for free until you decide that you like playing softball. Do I need equipment? No. You don’t need any equipment. Teams will lend you equipment. If you want to buy something, the best thing to get started with is probably a glove and a ball. Get yourself a friend with a glove as well and you can go down the park and ‘play ball’. What should I wear? Any usual sports wear is fine, with trainers. A baseball cap is nearly essential as the sun is always in your eyes when you’re trying to catch a ball. Make the most of wearing one for its proper purpose rather than covering up a bald patch or a bad-hair day, or for a celebrity out shopping with dark glasses ‘Hello magazine’ look. If you have trainers with rubber studs - eg for football on astro turf these are ideal. Some FAQs for existing players What is the run ahead rule? The Run ahead Rule (ASA Rule 5 Section 9) is designed to prevent an unfair advantage in run difference when two unmatched teams play each other. So.....If at the beginning of the 5th inning either team has 20 or more runs ahead the game is 'Called' (stopped) and the score stands at that point. (This is an exception to the 5 inning rule)If at the beginning of the 6th inning or 7th inning either team is 12 runs ahead the game is 'Called' (stopped) and the score stands at that point. Complete innings must be played unless the home team scores the run ahead limit while at bat. Of course if each team wishes to continue, because they are having so much fun then thats fine but none of this has any bearing on the result of the match and should not be recorded on the official scoresheet We didn't have a league organised umpire does the game still count? If for some reason an umpire does not appear then, with the agreement of both team captains the match can be played using (preferrably someone not in the line up) players from each team as agreed. This should be noted on the scoresheet. How many players can move between teams in a club? The full details of these conditions can be found in the League consitution (Section 4.5) but basically 1 male player and 1 woman player per week. This must be recorded on the the scoresheet next to the players names.