50 softball terms explained, including putout, walk-off, rise ball, slap hit and the pitcher’s circle, each in one short line.
Softball terminology runs from the scorebook to the dugout, and the two do not always sound like the same sport. The entries below are the words related to softball that describe what happened on the field, the abbreviations that turn up in a box score, and the words associated with softball pitching, which is where the game separates itself from baseball most clearly. The softball glossary at the end gives every term a one-line definition.
Must-Know Softball Terms, Phrases and Slang:
- Ball
- Batting average
- Bullpen
- Changeup
- Double play
- Error
- Fastpitch
- Ground ball
- Home run
- Infield
- Line drive
- Mound
- Outfield
- Pinch runner
- Pitcher’s circle
- RBI
- Squeeze play
- Strike
- Tag out
- Triple
- Walk
- Windmill pitch
- Bunt
- Foul ball
- Leadoff
- No-hitter
- On-base percentage
- Pop-up
- Sliding
- Steal
Softball Glossary: Every Term A to Z
| Term | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Ball | A pitch outside the strike zone that the batter does not swing at. Four of them are a walk. |
| Batter's box | The marked rectangle beside home plate where the batter has to stand to hit. |
| Batting average | Hits divided by official at-bats, written AVG in a box score. |
| Bullpen | The area where pitchers warm up before entering the game. |
| Bunt | A short, deliberately soft hit meant to move a runner along or beat out a throw. |
| Changeup | A slower pitch thrown with fastball motion, so the batter starts the swing too early. |
| Courtesy runner | A substitute runner allowed for the pitcher or catcher, who then returns to the field without leaving the game. |
| Designated player | A softball substitution role, usually paired with a flex player, that lets a team separate hitting and fielding duties. Written DP. |
| Double play | One continuous play in which the defense records two outs. |
| Drop ball | A fastpitch pitch that breaks downward as it reaches the plate, aimed at producing ground balls. |
| Dugout | The team bench area beside the field. |
| ERA | Earned run average, the number of earned runs a pitcher allows per full game pitched. |
| Error | A fielding mistake that lets a batter reach or a runner advance. Recorded as E and never counted as a hit. |
| Fastpitch | The competitive form of softball, in which the pitcher delivers underhand at high speed. |
| Fielder's choice | A play where the defense could have retired the batter but chose to put out another runner instead. |
| Foul ball | A batted ball landing outside the foul lines. It is a strike unless the batter already has two. |
| GIDP | Grounded into double play, the box score line for a ground ball that produced two outs. |
| Grand slam | A home run hit with runners on all three bases, scoring four runs. |
| Ground ball | A batted ball that rolls or bounces through the infield. |
| Hit and run | A set play where the runner takes off with the pitch and the batter is expected to put the ball in play. |
| Home run | A hit that lets the batter round all the bases and score, usually over the outfield fence. |
| Illegal pitch | A delivery that breaks the pitching rules, for example leaving the pitching plate early. It normally awards a ball and advances runners. |
| Infield | The area inside the baselines, covered by the four infielders. |
| Leadoff | The first batter in the order, or the first batter of an inning. |
| Line drive | A batted ball that travels hard and nearly flat, difficult to react to. |
| Mound | The pitcher's area in the middle of the diamond, from which the pitch is delivered. |
| No-hitter | A complete game in which the pitcher allows no hits at all. |
| On-base percentage | How often a batter reaches base by any means other than an error or a fielder's choice. Written OBP. |
| OPS | On-base plus slugging, the two rate statistics added together as one quick measure of a hitter. |
| Outfield | The ground beyond the infield out to the fence, covered by the outfielders. |
| Pinch runner | A substitute who takes over on the bases for another player. |
| Pitcher's circle | The marked circle around the pitching plate. Several rules about runners depend on the pitcher holding the ball inside it. |
| Pop-up | A ball hit high but short, usually caught by an infielder. |
| Putout | The credit given to the fielder who actually records an out, such as the one catching a fly ball or holding the ball on a base. |
| RBI | Runs batted in, the runs that score as a result of a batter's plate appearance. |
| Rise ball | A fastpitch pitch that appears to climb as it approaches the plate, thrown to draw swings under the ball. |
| RISP | Runners in scoring position, meaning runners on second or third base. |
| Screwball | A fastpitch pitch that breaks toward the same side of the plate as the pitcher's throwing arm. |
| Slap hit | A fastpitch technique where a left-handed batter moves forward through the box and pushes the ball into play, using speed to beat the throw. |
| Sliding | Dropping into a base feet first or head first to get under a tag. |
| Slowpitch | The recreational form of softball, with the ball pitched in a high arc and no stealing in most leagues. |
| Squeeze play | A bunt laid down to bring a runner home from third base. |
| Steal | Advancing a base during the pitch rather than off a batted ball. |
| Strike | A pitch in the zone, a swing and miss, or a foul with fewer than two strikes. Three make a strikeout. |
| Strikeout | Three strikes against a batter, written K or SO in a box score. |
| Tag out | Touching a runner with the ball, or the glove holding it, while the runner is off a base. |
| Triple | A hit that gets the batter to third base without stopping. |
| Walk | Four balls, which sends the batter to first base. Also called a base on balls. |
| Walk-off | A play by the home team in the last inning that ends the game immediately, because the winning run scores. |
| Windmill pitch | The fastpitch delivery in which the arm travels a full circle around the shoulder before release. |
#1 Ball
In softball, “ball” refers to a pitch that is delivered outside the strike zone that the batter does not swing at. Four balls result in the batter getting a “walk” to first base.
#2 Batting average
Batting average is a statistical measure representing a softball player’s hitting performance. It’s calculated by dividing the number of hits by the number of official at-bats, symbolized by the abbreviation AVG.
#3 Bullpen
The bullpen is the area of a softball field where pitchers warm up before entering the game. It’s often located just beyond the outfield fence and is key for pitchers to prepare before facing batters.
#4 Changeup
A changeup is a slower pitch designed to look like a fastball but with reduced speed. This deceives the batter, often leading to a swing and miss or weak contact.
#5 Double play
A double play occurs when two offensive players are put out within the same play, often involving quick and seamless fielding and throwing by the defense.
#6 Error
An error is a mistake made by a fielder that allows a batter to reach base or a runner to advance. It’s marked in the statistics as an “E” and does not count as a hit for the batter.
#7 Fastpitch
Fastpitch is a type of softball where the pitcher throws the ball quickly with an underhand motion. It’s a highly competitive form with pitches reaching high speeds.
#8 Ground ball
A ground ball in softball is a ball that is hit and rolls along the ground in the infield. Defensively, fielders attempt to field these balls quickly to throw out runners at the bases, making quick reaction times and accurate throws crucial.
#9 Home Run
A hit that allows the batter to round all the bases and score without being put out, typically by hitting the ball over the outfield fence. It’s one of the most exciting plays and scores at least one run.
#10 Infield
The area within the baselines consisting of the first, second, and third base and the home plate. It’s where infielders position themselves to make plays on ground balls and participate in double plays.
#11 Line Drive
A batted ball that travels in a straight trajectory, nearly parallel to the ground. It’s hit sharply and can be difficult for defenders to react to, often resulting in a base hit.
#12 Mound
The raised pitcher’s area in the center of the diamond where the pitcher stands to throw the ball to the batter. The height gives the pitcher a gravitational advantage and helps conceal the ball during delivery.
#13 Outfield
The area beyond the infield, from the foul lines out to the outfield fence. It’s patrolled by outfielders who catch fly balls, field ground balls, and generally prevent hits from becoming extra-base hits.
#14 Pinch Runner
A substitute base runner who replaces another player, typically for strategic speed or injury reasons. This player takes over base-running duties but does not necessarily take a turn batting.
#15 Pitcher’s Circle
The pitcher’s circle in softball is a designated area around the pitching rubber, typically marked by an 8-foot radius. Only the pitcher is allowed to be within the circle when she has possession of the ball and is preparing to deliver a pitch. The circle plays a key role in various rules, particularly those governing the actions of base runners and defensive plays.
#16 RBI (Runs Batted In)
An RBI is a statistic credited to a batter when the outcome of their at-bat results in a run being scored, except when the batter grounds into a double play or reaches base due to an error. Essentially, it measures a player’s ability to contribute to scoring runs through productive hitting.
#17 Squeeze Play
A strategic offensive action where the batter bunts to allow a teammate on third base to run home and score. It’s a high-risk, high-reward move that requires precise timing between the batter and the runner.
#18 Strike
A pitch that crosses over home plate within the strike zone, in-between the batter’s shoulders and knees, which the batter fails to hit. Three strikes result in a “strikeout,” retiring the batter.
#19 Tag Out
Occurs when a fielder touches a base runner with the ball or glove holding the ball, while the runner is not on a base. This action results in the runner being called “out.”
#20 Triple
A powerful hit by the batter that allows them to reach third base without stopping, usually due to the ball being hit deep into the outfield. Triples are less common than singles or doubles and demonstrate both hitting strength and speed.
#21 Walk
Also known as “base on balls,” it occurs when a pitcher throws four pitches outside the strike zone, none of which are swung at by the batter, allowing the batter to advance to first base.
#22 Windmill Pitch
A pitching style characteristic of fastpitch softball where the pitcher’s arm rotates 360 degrees around the shoulder before releasing the ball. It’s known for its speed and is a key skill for fastpitch pitchers.
#23 Bunt
A batting technique where the hitter lightly taps the ball into the infield with the intention of advancing runners or reaching first base safely. It’s a strategic play often used to sacrifice personal stats for team advantage.
#24 Foul Ball
A ball hit by a batter that lands outside the field of play’s foul lines, which extend from home plate past first and third base to the outfield fence. It counts as a strike unless the batter already has two strikes.
#25 Leadoff
Refers to the first batter in the lineup or the first batter of an inning. It’s a pivotal role aimed at getting on base to set the stage for scoring opportunities for the following hitters.
#26 No-hitter
A rare feat where a pitcher completes a game without allowing the opposition to record a hit. It showcases dominant pitching and is considered one of the greatest accomplishments for a pitcher.
#27 On-base percentage (OBP)
A statistic that measures how frequently a batter reaches base for any reason other than a fielding error, fielder’s choice, hit by pitch, or force out. It’s a key indicator of a player’s ability to help create scoring opportunities.
#28 Pop-up
A ball hit high into the air above the infield. These are usually easier plays for the defense, as the ball remains in the air long enough for an infielder to position themselves to make the catch.
#29 Sliding
Sliding is a technique used by runners in softball to reach a base safely. Players slide feet-first or head-first to touch the base while evading a tag from a fielder. Effective sliding can prevent injuries and is essential for avoiding outs during close plays.
#30 Steal
Stealing a base involves a runner advancing to the next base unchallenged while the pitcher is delivering the ball to the batter. It requires quick judgment and speed. Successful steals can significantly pressure the defense by putting runners into scoring positions or distracting the pitcher and catcher.
FAQ
What is a put out in softball?
A putout is credited to the fielder who physically records an out: the one who catches a fly ball, tags a runner, or holds the ball while touching the base on a force play. It is a fielding statistic, not a description of the play itself.
What is a walk off in softball?
A walk-off is a play by the home team in its final at-bat that scores the winning run and ends the game on the spot. The most familiar version is the walk-off home run, but a single or even a walk with the bases loaded counts just as much.
What does SO mean in softball?
SO stands for strikeout. In a batter’s line it is the number of times they struck out; in a pitcher’s line it is the number of batters they struck out. The letter K is used for the same thing in scorekeeping.
What does OPS mean in softball?
OPS is on-base percentage plus slugging percentage. Adding the two together gives one number that reflects both how often a hitter reaches base and how much power they hit for.
What does hit and run mean in softball?
A hit and run is a set play. The runner leaves with the pitch as if stealing, and the batter is expected to put the ball in play so the runner keeps going, which also pulls an infielder out of position to cover the base.
What does RISP mean in softball?
Runners in scoring position, meaning a runner on second or third base. It appears in statistics as batting average with RISP, a measure of how a hitter performs when a single would likely score a run.
What does DI mean in softball?
DI, written D1, means Division I, the highest of the three NCAA competition divisions for college softball in the United States.
What are some Softball terms for beginners?
“Ball,” “strike,” and “home run” are some Softball terms beginners should start with. These basics relate to pitching results and hitting achievements essential to understanding the game.
What are some funny Softball terms?
“Squeeze play” and “windmill pitch” are some funny Softball terms, which may sound amusing but describe strategic plays and a pitching style that are unique to the sport.
What is a famous Softball phrase?
“Chicks dig the long ball” is a famous Softball phrase often used to highlight the excitement surrounding powerful hitters who can hit home runs, emphasizing the appeal of offensive prowess in the game.
