33 softball quiz questions with answers, covering the rules, the pitching circle and the game’s history. The full answer key sits at the end.
Each question offers three options and hides the correct one behind a button, so a team can play it honestly and keep score. If you would rather have the softball trivia questions and answers in a single list, the answer key under the scoring table has all 33 in order. Coaches use the same set of questions about softball as a rules check before the season starts.
1. In which year was softball invented?
- A) 1887
- B) 1900
- C) 1924
2. What did George Hancock call the game he invented in Chicago in 1887?
- A) Indoor baseball
- B) Kitten ball
- C) Playground ball
3. How many players are on a softball team on the field?
- A) 7
- B) 9
- C) 11
4. Which of these is not a position in softball?
- A) First Base
- B) Rover
- C) Center Forward
5. How many innings are in a standard softball game?
- A) 5
- B) 7
- C) 9
6. What are the dimensions of a regulation softball field?
- A) 200-250 ft
- B) 250-300 ft
- C) 300-350 ft
7. What is the cover of a regulation softball normally made of?
- A) Rubber
- B) Leather
- C) Nylon mesh
8. Which organization is the national governing body for softball in the United States?
- A) USA Softball
- B) Major League Baseball
- C) The NCAA
9. Which is not a base-running strategy in softball?
- A) Sliding
- B) Tagging up
- C) Handball
10. What is the distance between bases in softball?
- A) 50 ft
- B) 60 ft
- C) 90 ft
11. What is the underhand delivery used in fastpitch softball commonly called?
- A) The slingshot
- B) The windmill
- C) The overhand
12. How do you score a run in softball?
- A) Reach first base
- B) Hit a ball over the fence
- C) Touch home plate
13. What is a “double play” in softball?
- A) Two-base hit
- B) Two strikeouts in a row
- C) Two outs made in one play
14. What is the maximum number of strikes allowed before a batter is out in softball?
- A) 2
- B) 3
- C) 4
15. What is it called when a fielder touches a base with the ball to put out a runner who must advance?
- A) Force out
- B) Tag out
- C) Pickle
16. What is it called when a player hits the ball and advances to first base without being put out?
- A) Home run
- B) Single
- C) Triple
17. How high is the pitching mound in fastpitch softball?
- A) 2 inches
- B) 4 inches
- C) There is no mound
18. How many outs are there in each half-inning of softball?
- A) 2
- B) 3
- C) 4
19. What is the name of the temporary extra player on a softball team?
- A) Extra hitter
- B) Substitute
- C) Designated player
20. What is the standard circumference of a softball used in fastpitch?
- A) 10 inches
- B) 11 inches
- C) 12 inches
21. In fastpitch softball, when may a base runner leave the base?
- A) As soon as the pitcher starts the windup
- B) Once the pitch leaves the pitcher's hand
- C) At any time after the batter steps in
22. In softball, what is considered a perfect game for a pitcher?
- A) Striking out every batter
- B) No hits, runs, or errors
- C) A shutout
23. What is the term used when a batter taps the ball lightly without swinging the bat?
- A) Beep hit
- B) Bunt
- C) Brush hit
24. When is a player considered “out” in softball?
- A) When they have three strikes
- B) When the ball is caught before it touches the ground
- C) Both A and B
25. What is the term for a player hitting the ball so that it touches the ground in the outfield in such a way that the batter can reach a base?
- A) Groove hit
- B) Ground ball
- C) Line drive
26. What is the term for the protective gear worn by catchers to protect their chest and abdomen?
- A) Chest guard
- B) Chest protector
- C) Rib shield
27. What is the penalty when a softball pitcher makes an illegal pitch?
- A) A ball is added to the batter's count
- B) The pitcher is ejected
- C) The batter is out
28. What is it called when a batter hits the ball over the outfield fence between the foul lines?
- A) Home run
- B) Double
- C) Triple
29. What does the acronym ASA stand for?
- A) American Softball Association
- B) Amateur Softball Association
- C) American Sports Association
30. Which country won the gold medal in women’s softball during the 2008 Olympic Games?
- A) USA
- B) Japan
- C) China
31. What is the name of the area in which the pitcher must pitch from?
- A) Pitching mound
- B) Pitching circle
- C) Pitching square
32. How is a softball game started?
- A) Coin toss
- B) Umpire’s call
- C) Home team bats first
33. Which position is responsible for covering the majority of the outfield in softball?
- A) Center fielder
- B) Left fielder
- C) Right fielder
Results
| # of Correct Answers | Percentage Range | Label | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0- | 0-49% | Bench BuddyArmchair Athlete | You've got some learning to do, but don't worry, there's always the next game! |
| - | 50-64% | Base BeginnerRookie Runner | Not bad! Keep practicing, and you'll be a sports trivia champ in no time. |
| - | 65-79% | Pitch ProMidfield Maestro | Impressive! You're getting closer to the top, keep up the good work. |
| - | 80-94% | Hit HeroAll-Star Striker | Wow, you really know your sports trivia! You're a force to be reckoned with. |
| -33 | 95-100% | Softball StarLegendary Champion | Unbelievable! You're a true sports trivia master. Your knowledge knows no bounds! |
Softball Quiz Answers: The Full Answer Key
Every question in this softball quiz with its correct answer, in the order the questions appear above. Check your score against the table, or use the list as a set of softball trivia questions and answers for a quiz night of your own.
| # | Question | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | In which year was softball invented? | A) 1887 |
| 2 | What did George Hancock call the game he invented in Chicago in 1887? | A) Indoor baseball |
| 3 | How many players are on a softball team on the field? | B) 9 |
| 4 | Which of these is not a position in softball? | C) Center Forward |
| 5 | How many innings are in a standard softball game? | B) 7 |
| 6 | What are the dimensions of a regulation softball field? | A) 200-250 ft |
| 7 | What is the cover of a regulation softball normally made of? | B) Leather |
| 8 | Which organization is the national governing body for softball in the United States? | A) USA Softball |
| 9 | Which is not a base-running strategy in softball? | C) Handball |
| 10 | What is the distance between bases in softball? | B) 60 ft |
| 11 | What is the underhand delivery used in fastpitch softball commonly called? | B) The windmill |
| 12 | How do you score a run in softball? | C) Touch home plate |
| 13 | What is a “double play” in softball? | C) Two outs made in one play |
| 14 | What is the maximum number of strikes allowed before a batter is out in softball? | B) 3 |
| 15 | What is it called when a fielder touches a base with the ball to put out a runner who must advance? | A) Force out |
| 16 | What is it called when a player hits the ball and advances to first base without being put out? | B) Single |
| 17 | How high is the pitching mound in fastpitch softball? | C) There is no mound |
| 18 | How many outs are there in each half-inning of softball? | B) 3 |
| 19 | What is the name of the temporary extra player on a softball team? | A) Extra hitter |
| 20 | What is the standard circumference of a softball used in fastpitch? | C) 12 inches |
| 21 | In fastpitch softball, when may a base runner leave the base? | B) Once the pitch leaves the pitcher's hand |
| 22 | In softball, what is considered a perfect game for a pitcher? | B) No hits, runs, or errors |
| 23 | What is the term used when a batter taps the ball lightly without swinging the bat? | B) Bunt |
| 24 | When is a player considered “out” in softball? | C) Both A and B |
| 25 | What is the term for a player hitting the ball so that it touches the ground in the outfield in such a way that the batter can reach a base? | B) Ground ball |
| 26 | What is the term for the protective gear worn by catchers to protect their chest and abdomen? | B) Chest protector |
| 27 | What is the penalty when a softball pitcher makes an illegal pitch? | A) A ball is added to the batter's count |
| 28 | What is it called when a batter hits the ball over the outfield fence between the foul lines? | A) Home run |
| 29 | What does the acronym ASA stand for? | B) Amateur Softball Association |
| 30 | Which country won the gold medal in women's softball during the 2008 Olympic Games? | B) Japan |
| 31 | What is the name of the area in which the pitcher must pitch from? | B) Pitching circle |
| 32 | How is a softball game started? | B) Umpire's call |
| 33 | Which position is responsible for covering the majority of the outfield in softball? | A) Center fielder |
Test your knowledge and then expand it by diving into the detailed softball positions and roles to fully appreciate every aspect of the game.
Hungry for More? Check out these Resources!
- Our posts about Softball
- Wikipedia
- World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC)
- WBSC YouTube Channel
FAQ
How many questions are in this softball quiz?
There are 33 questions with three options each. The correct answer stays behind the reveal button until you decide to look.
Where are the softball trivia questions and answers listed together?
In the answer key below the scoring table. It repeats all 33 questions in order with the correct answer beside each one, which is the quickest way to mark a full round.
Can I use this as a softball test for a team or a class?
Yes. A large part of the set covers rules, positions and field measurements, so it works as a knowledge check at the start of a season. Read the question and the three options out loud and collect the letters.
Is there a softball quiz for younger players?
The rules questions suit 10U and 12U players well, because they deal with outs, innings, bases and equipment. The history questions near the start and end are harder and better suited to older players.
What are some common questions people ask about softball?
How many innings a game lasts, how far apart the bases are, why there is no pitching mound and how big the ball is. All four are answered in the quiz above.
What is a good score on this softball quiz?
Over half is respectable. The scoring table turns your total into a rank running from Bench Buddy up to Softball Star.
How many innings are in a softball game?
Seven innings in a standard game, compared with nine in baseball. Extra innings are played if the score is level.
How big is a fastpitch softball?
A regulation fastpitch softball measures 12 inches around, which is the circumference, not the diameter. The 11 inch ball is used in many youth divisions.
Why is there no pitching mound in softball?
Softball is pitched underhand from a flat circle, so the pitcher pushes off a level plate instead of throwing downhill from a raised mound as in baseball.
B1 strikes a powerful line drive and successfully slides into second base, but in doing so, dislodges the base from its original position. While B1 is not in contact with the now dislodged base, F4 manages to tag B1. What should the correct call be in this situation?
In softball, if a runner dislodges a base but remains in the immediate area, they’re generally considered safe. However, if B1 is tagged by F4 while not in contact with the base or its original position, B1 would typically be called out. The key is whether the runner maintains contact with the base’s original location or the dislodged base itself when tagged.