Softball words cheat sheet

Softball words

Ball

A pitch the batter doesn't swing at that is outside the strike zone. Four balls and the batter walks to first base.

Bunt

Holding the bat out and tapping the ball softly so it rolls a short way.

Count

The number of balls and strikes on the batter. The umpire says balls first, so "2 and 1" means 2 balls and 1 strike.

Double play

Two outs on one play.

Dugout

Where a team sits when it isn't batting or playing in the field.

Error

A fielder mistake, like a dropped catch or a bad throw, that lets a batter or runner move up.

Fair ball

A ball that lands inside the white lines, or on top of a white line.

Force out

An out made by touching the base a runner has to run to.

Foul ball

A ball that lands outside the white lines.

Grounder

A ball hit on the ground.

Hit

When the batter hits a fair ball and reaches base safely, without a fielder making an error.

Home run

A fair ball hit over the outfield fence without bouncing. The batter and every runner score.

Infield fly

A rule for easy pop-ups with runners on first and second and fewer than 2 outs. The batter is out, even if the ball is dropped. Your league decides the details.

Line drive

A ball hit hard and low, flying through the air in a straight line.

On-deck circle

The spot where the next batter waits and warms up.

Pitcher's circle

The circle in the middle of the infield where the pitcher stands to throw.

Pop-up

A ball hit high in the air that doesn't go very far.

RBI

Run batted in. The batter gets credit when her hit lets a runner score.

Steal

A runner leaving her base to run to the next one, when the pitcher lets go of the ball.

Strike

A pitch in the strike zone that the batter doesn't hit, a swing and a miss, or a foul ball. Three strikes and the batter is out.

Strike zone

The space over home plate, between the batter's armpits and the top of her knees.

Tag out

An out made by touching a runner with the ball when she isn't on a base.

Tag up

Waiting on a base until a fielder first touches a caught fly ball, then running to the next base.

Walk

When the pitcher throws four balls and the batter goes to first base.

Details such as the infield fly rule differ between leagues, so ask your coach.

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