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Velvet Digest

Are there different size softballs?

Author

Emily Wilson

Updated on May 21, 2026

There are three sizes: one for fast-pitch softball, one for slow-pitch softball and one for a style of slow-pitch play that is frequently called Chicago ball because of its popularity in that Illinois city. Softballs come in 11-inch, 12-inch and 16-inch sizes.

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Just so, what is the size of a softball?

10 and under teams typically use a softball with a circumference of 11 inches and diameter of 3.5 inches. 11 and up age teams typically use a softball with a circumference of 12 inches and a diameter of 3.8 inches.

Likewise, are baseball and softball fields the same size? Although the exact sizes can differ somewhat depending upon the player's ages, softball fields are smaller than those used for baseball. Although they are laid out in the exact same format, the bases in softball are 60 feet apart whereas baseball bases are 90 feet apart.

Herein, what are the different types of softballs?

Types of Softballs

  • High-Compression Softball. High-compression softballs are 12-inch premium balls that professional players use.
  • Mid-Compression Softball.
  • Low-Compression Softball.
  • 16-Inch Chicago Style Softball.

What size softballs are used in high school?

Use the Right Equipment The biggest difference between baseball and softball is, of course, the larger ball used in softball. The high school fast-pitch softball is 12 inches in circumference and weighs between 6 1/4 and 7 ounces.

Related Question Answers

Why do girls use softballs?

Baseball evolved from the British game rounders, played by both girls and boys. Softball was invented in 1887 by men, though it came to be seen as an easier, “safer” and more modest game — more suitable, that is, to ladies.

What does 14u mean in softball?

What does 8u, 10u, 12u, 14u mean? A. The abbreviation 8u is the 8 & under league, 14u is the 14 & under league, etc. A player's age as of January 1st determines the age in which the player is eligible to play the following year.

What are the 10 positions in softball?

What Are the Ten Softball Positions by Number?
  • Pitcher and Catcher. The pitcher and catcher form the battery in softball.
  • Infielders. A defense in softball includes four infielders.
  • Outfielders. The traditional outfielders in softball play left field, center field and right field.
  • Extra Fielder. The extra fielder in softball normally plays in the outfield.

How far is home plate to first base in softball?

Baseline — The baselines in softball are 60 feet. When measuring baselines, the proper way to do it is from the back of home plate to the back white corner of first base.

Why is there a circle around the pitcher's mound in softball?

Hence, the pitcher's circle is basically used to establish that the play is complete or has ended. Again, this means that the pitcher is now inside the circle and in control of the ball. Another purpose of the pitcher's circle is to serve as a basis for the look back rule.

Why is a softball so big?

In softball the circumference of the ball is 11 to 12 inches and less dense than baseball's 9-inch ball. Because of the larger ball, softball players use smaller bats. The bat in softball must be no longer than 34 inches and can be made of composite materials.

Why does softball exist?

The name "softball" was given to the game in 1926, because the ball used to be soft; however, in modern-day usage, the balls are hard. A tournament held in 1933 at the Chicago World's Fair spurred interest in the game.

What is the age cutoff for 14u softball?

The league age of the player is determined by the player's age on December 31, 2019. Example: If a player turns 13 on or before December 31, 2019, that player is league age 14U (or 13U but plays by 14U rules).

What does Cor mean in softball?

Coefficient Of Restitution

Why are baseballs white and softballs yellow?

Size and Color of Ball While a baseball is white with red seams, a yellow softball is used to make it easier to see as it is thrown from such a shorter distance.

What are the best slow pitch softballs?

Best Sellers in Slow-Pitch Softballs
  • #1.
  • MacGregor Safe/Soft Training Softballs (One Dozen)
  • Easton Softouch Incrediball.
  • Practice Softball, Yellow, 12-Inch (One Dozen)
  • Jugs Yellow Lite Flite Practice Softballs.
  • Macgregor X44Re Asa Slow Pitch Softball, 11-Inch (One-Dozen)

What are softballs made out of?

Softballs are made of three components:
  • The Center: Softball centers are generally composed of polyurethane, but sometimes have a cork center.
  • The Cover: Softball manufacturers use either leather, synthetic materials or rubber coverings, which are glued or cemented to the softball's center.

What are the three sizes of balls that are used in softball?

What Are the Three Sizes of Balls That Are Used in Softball?
  • 11 inches. The 11-inch ball is used in fast-pitch softball. It is two inches larger than a baseball.
  • 12 inches. The 12-inch ball is the standard for slow-pitch softball. The ball is a little softer than the 11-inch version.
  • 16 inches. The 16-inch softball is used when the game is played without gloves.

What do the dots on softballs mean?

Worth's Dot System The dots on Worth softballs are a visual way to tell how bouncy and hard each ball plays. All blue dot balls have a max compression of 525, while the 400-pound green dot balls feel softer. Generally, blue dot balls are used for men's slow pitch and green dots for women's.

Is there a difference between slowpitch and fastpitch softballs?

It should come as no surprise that the main difference between fastpitch and slowpitch softball lies in the pitching. In slowpitch, the ball is thrown without the distinct windmill motion that's commonly associated with fastpitch. The pitcher steps forward and tosses the ball underarm.

Why is softball not a sport?

There once was a sport called baseball, where the players stood around and occasionally ran from one place to another, swung a bat, or threw a ball. Then, some baseball players decided that the ball moved too fast and was too hard to hit, and that the running distances were too long. Thus “softball” was born.

When did softballs turn yellow?

Finally, in 2002, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) made the familiar bright-yellow hue the official color of their respective leagues' softball.

Which is harder to play softball or baseball?

Scientifically speaking, softball is a lot harder than baseball…in some ways. The ball is bigger and the batting averages tend to be higher in softball, but the shorter distances to run also mean a shorter distance to throw. So, when it comes to running bases, the ball can get there that much faster.

Do softballs go further than baseballs?

Regulation softball gloves have a deeper pocket while baseball gloves are more shallow but are slightly longer. Baseball fields are naturally bigger than softball because the dimensions of the baseball, which weighs about five ounces and is nine inches around, cause it to fly farther.