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Softball Game Terminology
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Inning
A division of the game during which the teams alternate in offensive and defensive roles. It consists of each team's turn at bat and lasts until three out are made.
Pitcher's Circle
The area with an 8-foot radius surrounding the pitcher's plate from where the pitcher must pitch.
Batter's Box
The area adjacent to home plate in which the batter must stand while at bat.
Double Play
A defensive play resulting in two outs on a single continuous play.
Force Out
An out which occurs when a fielder possesses the ball on a base to which a runner must advance due to a batted ball, before the runner reaches the base.
Home Run
A hit allowing the batter to round all the bases and score without being put out, often by hitting the ball beyond the outfield boundary.
Strike Zone
The area over home plate between the batter's knees and the midpoint of their torso where a pitched ball must pass in order to count as a strike unless the ball is swung at and missed or hit into play.
Ball
A pitch that does not enter the strike zone and is not swung at by the batter. Four balls allow the batter to advance to first base.
Strike
A pitch that crosses the strike zone and is not hit into play or any attempted swing by the batter that misses or any ball a batter hits foul while having less than two strikes.
Foul Ball
A batted ball that lands outside the field of fair play, which is outside the first and third base lines extending from home plate to the outfield fence and perpendicular upwards.
Error
A misplay by a fielder that allows a batter to reach base or a base runner to advance.
Sacrifice Fly
A fly ball hit deep enough into the outfield to allow a base runner to score after tagging up following the catch.
Tag Up
When a base runner holds their base until a batted or caught fly ball has first touched a fielder, after which the runner may attempt to advance.
RBI (Run Batted In)
A stat awarded to a batter for the number of runners who score due to the batter's action, including a hit, sacrifice, or any play that leads to a run.
Bunt
A lightly tapped ball that does not go far from home plate, often used strategically to advance base runners with less risk of being caught out.
Steal
An attempt by a base runner to advance to the next base without the benefit of the batter hitting the ball.
On-Deck
The area where the next scheduled batter, or on-deck hitter, warms up while waiting for their turn to bat.
Line Drive
A batted ball that is hit sharply and flies straight out from the batter, a type of hit that is usually difficult to field.
Walk
An advance to first base allowed to a batter who receives four pitches outside the strike zone during their at-bat.
Dugout
The area just off the field where the players and coaches sit when they are not on the field.
Pop Fly
A high fly ball hit into the air around the infield area that is usually easily caught for an out.
Leadoff
The first batter in the batting order or a base runner's action of taking a few steps off the base to get a head start on the next play.
Clean Up Hitter
The fourth hitter in the batting order, typically a strong hitter with the ability to drive in base runners.
Changeup
A type of pitch thrown slower than a fastball, but with similar arm action, intended to deceive the batter's timing.
Grand Slam
A home run hit when all three bases are occupied by base runners, resulting in four runs scoring.
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