Have you ever watched baseball and softball on TV? They look very similar because players run around bases and hit balls with bats. However, if you look closer, you will see they are actually very different sports. Let us explore how these two popular games are played.
First, look at how the pitcher throws the ball. In baseball, the pitcher stands on a high dirt mound and throws overhand. This means the hand goes above the shoulder, making the ball go very fast. In softball, the pitcher throws underhand from a flat circle. The ball travels on a different trajectory because it starts low. The balls themselves are also different. A baseball is smaller, very dense, and white. A softball is larger, yellow, and has a bigger circumference, which makes it easier to see but harder to hit far. The field dimensions are also smaller in softball. The distance between the bases is shorter, so players must run very fast. Most fastpitch softball games only have seven innings, while baseball games have nine. This makes softball games faster to finish. Many people play these sports for recreation on weekends with their friends.
Now you know the main differences between these two great games. Next time you see a game, watch the pitcher's arm and the size of the ball. You will quickly see which sport is on the field.
