7 Differences Between Softball and Baseball

Softball and baseball may seem to be very identical sports but if you look closely, there really are some glaring distinctions. You need to know the differences between these two sports especially if you are planning to play or coach in one or both.

Here are 6 areas in which these two games differ:

Pitching area

In softball, the pitcher pitches the ball on a piece of ground which is level with respect to the batter. This is true for any level of softball game. In baseball, particularly in youth games, the pitcher delivers the ball from a pitching mound.

Pitching style

Softball pitchers throw the ball using an underhand motion while baseball pitchers can throw overhand or even sidearm.

Distance from pitcher to home plate

The distance from the pitcher's area to the home plate is much closer in softball than in baseball. As such, softball can have both a fast-pitch and a slow-pitch game. Beginning levels of youth softball feature pitchers which throw the ball at 35 feet from the home plate. Advanced levels, on the other hand, have their pitchers throw balls from 40 feet.

Base paths

The softball field is more compact than the baseball field. In softball, if the distance from the pitcher to the home plate is 35 feet, the bases are 55 feet apart from each other. If the distance from the pitcher to the home plate is 40 feet, the bases are 60 feet apart. Softball thus has a smaller infield than baseball. In general, a smaller infield requires greater defensive efforts on the part of the infielders.

Ball size

A regulation softball is larger and heavier than a regulation baseball. A softball has a circumference of between 11.88 and 12.13 inches while a baseball has a circumference of between 9 and 9.25 inches. A softball is also heavier, weighing around 6.25 to 7 ounces as against the 5 to 5.25 ounces of a baseball.

Youth softball games may use smaller and softer balls, especially with girls' games. This is because a little girl's hands may not be able to grasp a regulation softball.

Bats

Bats may be interchangeable between softball and baseball in the beginning or youth levels. In advanced levels, on the other hand, there are bats which are softball-specific and bats which are only for baseball. Softball bats are generally smaller and lighter than baseball bats. In addition, different programs of softball require different bat materials. Some examples of materials used in the making of bats include carbon, Kevlar, graphite and liquid metal.

Uniform

Softball pants are shorter than baseball pants, falling just below the knees. In both softball and baseball, players wear button-up jerseys. Softball socks do not differ from baseball socks. Baseball cleats, on the other hand, usually have metal spikes while softball cleats are made of molded plastic.