Softball Glossary

Glossary explained in plain English for parents learning Softball.

Term	Plain-English Meaning	Example	Also Known As
Inning	One round where each team usually gets a turn to bat and a turn to play defense.	The home team bats in the bottom half of the inning.	Frame
Half-inning	One team's turn to bat before the teams switch roles.	The half-inning ends after three outs or after the run limit is reached.	Top;bottom
Run	A point scored when a runner legally touches home plate after touching the bases in order.	The runner reaches home before the third out, so the team scores a run.	Score
Out	A defensive result that moves the batting team closer to the end of its turn.	The first baseman catches the throw while touching the bag, and the runner is out.	Putout
Force out	An out made by touching the forced base with the ball before the runner arrives.	With a runner on first, the shortstop throws to second for a force out.	Force play
Tag out	An out made by tagging a runner with the ball or glove holding the ball when the runner is not safe on a base.	The catcher tags the runner before she reaches home.	Tag
Fair ball	A batted ball that lands or is touched in fair territory under softball rules.	The ball rolls inside the first-base line and stays fair.	Fair
Foul ball	A batted ball that is outside fair territory or becomes foul before passing the base in common situations.	The ball lands beyond the third-base line, and the umpire calls foul.	Foul
Strike	A pitch or swing result that counts against the batter, depending on the league format.	The batter swings and misses, so the umpire calls strike two.	Called strike;swinging strike
Ball	A pitch outside the strike zone that the batter does not swing at in player-pitch formats.	The pitch is high, and the count moves to two balls and one strike.	Pitch outside
Walk	A batter being awarded first base after enough balls are called, when the league uses walks.	The pitcher throws ball four, and the batter walks to first.	Base on balls
Strike zone	The area the umpire uses to judge called strikes, adjusted by the rules and age level.	A pitch at the batter's knees may be called a strike in that league.	Zone
Underhand pitch	The softball pitching motion where the ball is delivered underhand instead of overhand.	The pitcher releases the ball underhand from the circle.	Windmill;fastpitch delivery
Coach pitch	A youth format where a coach pitches to help batters learn timing and contact.	In coach pitch, the coach throws hittable pitches instead of a child pitcher.	Coach toss
Machine pitch	A youth format where a pitching machine delivers the ball at a set speed or arc.	The league uses machine pitch so batters see consistent pitches.	Machine
Tee work	A beginner format or drill where the ball is hit from a tee.	The youngest players start with tee work before coach pitch.	T-ball
Bunt	A softer hit made by holding the bat still or cushioning the ball, often to move a runner.	The batter bunts toward third base and runs to first.	Sacrifice bunt
Grounder	A batted ball that rolls or bounces along the ground.	The second baseman fields a grounder and throws to first.	Ground ball
Fly ball	A batted ball hit into the air.	The center fielder catches the fly ball for an out.	Pop fly;air ball
Line drive	A hard-hit ball that travels on a low, straight path.	The shortstop reacts quickly to a line drive.	Liner
Base path	The running lane or distance between bases, often shorter in youth softball than older levels.	The shorter base path makes throws and runner decisions happen fast.	Baseline
Safety base	An extra or split first base used by some leagues to reduce collisions.	The runner touches the orange safety base while the fielder uses the white base.	Double first base
Lead off	A runner leaving the base before or as the pitch is delivered, depending on local rules.	In this league, runners cannot lead off until the pitch reaches the plate.	Lead
Steal	A runner trying to advance without a batted ball, when league rules allow it.	The runner steals second after the pitch passes the catcher.	Stolen base
Overthrow	A throw that misses the target and goes past the intended fielder.	An overthrow at first lets the runner advance only one base under that league's rule.	Bad throw
Passed ball	A pitch the catcher does not control, which may let runners advance if local rules allow it.	The ball gets past the catcher, and the runner looks to the coach before advancing.	Passed pitch
Wild pitch	A pitch that is difficult for the catcher to handle and may let runners advance.	The pitch bounces away, and the runner tries for third.	Wild throw
Dropped third strike	A rule where the batter may be able to run to first after strike three is not caught, if the league uses the rule and the base situation allows it.	The catcher drops strike three, but in this age group the batter is simply out.	Uncaught third strike
Infield fly	A special rule that can call the batter out on an easy infield fly in certain runner situations to protect runners from a trick double play.	With runners on first and second, the umpire calls infield fly on a pop-up.	Infield fly rule
Look-back rule	A baserunning rule in some player-pitch softball that limits runner movement once the pitcher has the ball in the circle.	When the pitcher has the ball in the circle, the runner must commit back to the base or forward.	Pitcher-circle rule
Pitching circle	The marked area around the pitcher that can affect pitching setup, live-ball control, and some baserunning rules.	The umpire watches whether the pitcher has the ball inside the circle.	Circle
Cutoff	A fielder who receives a throw from the outfield and redirects it to the right base.	The left fielder throws to the cutoff instead of all the way home.	Relay
Umpire	The official who calls balls, strikes, safe, out, foul, time, and other softball decisions.	The umpire signals safe at second base.	Blue