- The biggest difference between softball and baseball is the ball itself. Aside from an obvious difference in size--a baseball has a circumference of 9 inches while a softball is either 11 or 12 inches--a softball is less dense than a baseball and will not travel as far when hit by a bat or thrown. A baseball game lasts 9 innings, while a softball game lasts 7 innings. Pro baseball teams--including minor leagues--use wooden bats. Softball and amateur baseball teams (including high school and college) use aluminum bats.
- A softball field is smaller than a baseball field, including the distances on the basepaths. There are 60 feet between each base on a softball field, while there are 90 feet between bases on a baseball field. In softball, infielders are required to throw the ball immediately after receiving it, because the distance between the bases is so much shorter. In baseball, fielders have the opportunity to take their time before making a throw because it takes longer for the runner to get from home to first base or from first base to second than it does in softball. In organized fast pitch softball, the fences are 250 feet from home plate. In baseball, the distances from home plate to the fence varies from stadium to stadium and uniformity is not required. The minimum distance from home plate to the fence in Major League Baseball is 250 feet.
- In baseball, the pitcher releases the ball from a raised mound 60 feet 6 inches away from home plate. In softball, the mound is flat and 40-43 feet away. In baseball, a pitcher can deliver the ball, overhand, sidearm or underhand. In softball, the only legal way to throw a pitch is underhand. At the elite level in baseball, pitching is considered the most important aspect of the game, but a hot hitter or a great play in the field can easily take the focus off the mound. In softball, the top-level pitchers are expected to shut down the opposition on an every-game basis. They rarely disappoint and have a clunker of a game where they get hit around. If a top pitcher like U.S. Olympian Jenny Finch gives up as many as 2 runs in a game, that's shocking.
