Softball is an Olympic discipline. It is a competitive outdoor sport. There is also an indoor version of this game which is termed as Arena Softball. This game is quite similar to Baseball. Softball is a tremendously popular game across the United States. It originated in the United States. It was developed as the winter version of Baseball which is popular throughout the USA. Over the years, the popularity of this game has spread across the continents. It is regularly played in countries such as Australia, the UK, China, Japan, the Netherlands, and Canada. Currently, this sport is played in more than hundred countries across the globe. New Zealand is a 3 time world champion of Softball.

The game of Softball is played between two teams. The shape of the playing surface is similar to the Baseball playing area. The batters try to hit the ball out of the ground without allowing the fielders to catch the ball. The two teams take turn in defending and attacking. Both the teams have to play a minimum of 7 innings. The objective of the attacking team is to hit the ball with the bat and score runs and the object of the defending team is to get the batters out. The Pitchers throw the ball at the batter. The size of the Softball is slightly bigger than the ball used in Baseball. The game of Softball has 3 variants which are—Slow Pitch, Fast Pitch, and Modified Pitch. The equipments essential to play a Softball game includes gloves, a bat, a ball, uniforms, helmets, and cleats. The protective gear used in Softball includes batting helmets. These specially designed helmets have an inbuilt protective cage and ear flips on each side. The bat is made from metal, composite material, or wood. The person who oversees the game of Softball is called an Umpire. His tasks are similar to a referee in soccer. He ensures the smooth functioning of a Softball game. It is mandatory for both the teams to wear distinctive uniforms. This gives a separate identity to the competing teams.

The International Softball Federation (ISF) is the governing body of this game. ISF conducts tournaments across the world in many categories. Tournaments are held for both men and women. Women’s Softball is a recognized Olympic sport. In the Olympic Softball, 8 teams including the host team, vie for top honors. The host team can directly play the tournament. The other 7 teams have to come through the stage of qualifying rounds to participate in the Olympics. The USA is the dominant team in this sport in the Olympics. ISF is trying its best to popularize this game in the countries where Softball is not played regularly.