Softball is a direct descendant of baseball although some key differences are that softballs are larger than baseballs and the pitches are thrown underhand rather than overhand. Softball is played on a smaller diamond than in baseball; a softball field's average distances from home plate to the center, left and right field fences are 220, 200 and 200 feet respectively (the corresponding baseball field average distances are 410, 325 and 325 feet). Despite the game's name, the standard softball is not soft; in fact, it is harder than a baseball.

Softball is played between 2 teams on a large field, which usually is composed of a dirt or brickdust infield which contains the quadrilateral shape and running areas, and a grass outfield. However, the field also can consist of all dirt, grass, artificial turf. There are 4 bases on the infield (first base, second base, third base,and home plate); the bases are arranged in a square.