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The Olympic softball tournament will be conducted as a single tournament made up of eight nations that earned berths through their respective performances at the 2006 World Championships and in regional qualifying tournaments.
The tournament will be conducted in accordance with the 2006-09 version of the rules of the International Softball Federation (ISF). In case of disagreement on the interpretation of these rules, the English version shall prevail. Except for a few exceptions, Olympic softball is very similar to major league baseball in the United States.
Each team is comprised of 15 players, nine of which can play the field at any one time. The positions and responsibilities are as follows:
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SOFTBALL PLAYER POSITIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES | |
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Pitcher |
Throws the softball from the center of the diamond (pitcher's circle) to the catcher. The pitcher uses an underarm motion to pitch the ball toward the "strike zone". After making a pitch, the pitcher gets ready to field balls hit up the middle. |
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Catcher |
Plays in a semi-crouched position behind home plate and receives pitches thrown by the pitcher. Also receives throws from fielders attempting to make outs at home plate. |
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First Baseman |
Positioned just to the left of the first base. Her main role is to make fielding plays on balls hit toward first base. |
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Second Baseman |
Plays in the gap between the bag at second and the first baseman. Receives throws from fielders attempting to make outs at second base and fields "grounders" and "pop ups" hit to this side of the infield. |
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Shortstop |
Fields the balls hit to the infield between second and third base. She covers second base (along with the second baseman) and is often involved in force plays and "double plays" with the second baseman. |
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Third Baseman |
Plays to the left of third base and covers any plays there. Receives throws from other fielders attempting to make outs at third base. |
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Outfielders |
Positioned beyond the infield in left field, centerfield and right field, they catch and field "fly balls," line drives, and ground balls hit into the outfield. |
