Softball Nearby: 2025/2026 Events Schedule & Tickets

Softball

If you're crazy about baseball, you know the thrill of a bat-and-ball game. But let's be honest. As fun as baseball is, the heart wants variety. Thankfully, for those who agree, there's softball - the bigger cousin of baseball.

Softball is a popular dupe of baseball but has its own rules and formats. And the game has gradually gained such immense popularity that it's played in multiple leagues throughout the US.

Softball Vs. Baseball: A Friendly Battle

If you've never seen a softball game, you might mistake it for baseball when you see it for the first time. But we're here to help! Here are the critical differences between softball and baseball that will help you distinguish one from the other:

• The main difference lies in the size of the ball. Softball is played with a larger ball as compared to baseball.
• The size of the field in softball is also smaller compared to baseball.
• Usually, softball games are shorter than baseball in terms of duration. Naturally, that's because of the smaller field and the rules.
• Baseball mounds are hills. However, softball mounds are flat.
• Another big difference between the two games lies in the ball's arc as it approaches the player. The softball pitch is underhanded, so the ball flies at a different arc.

Worldwide Recognition

Softball might not be as ubiquitous in the states as baseball. But one thing's for sure: it has its place in the sports world. Women's softball is a Summer Olympic game. Moreover, men and women play softball in the US at high school, college, and professional levels.

Countries like New Zealand, Australia, China, Japan, and the US participate in international softball tournaments, especially the Olympics. But domestic tournaments are pretty fun too.