Softball Is A Scientific Highly Invigorating Summer Sport

Chronicle (Levin), 7 October 1948, Page 5

Softball Is A Scientific Highly Invigorating Summer Sport

What is the difference between softball and baseball? What is its connection with rounders and is the ball really soft? These are some of the questions answered in the following article, which is specially written for "The Ghronicle" by a player of many seasons. Enlightenment is also given in regard to other interesting aspects and the rules of the game, which is rapidly becoming a popular summer sport.

The next misconception is that softball is a glorified edition of rounders. Certainly the ball is hit by a rounded stick and the batter runs round a set of bases to "Home," but there the resemblance ends. Tn softball the fact of a batter hitting the) ball can set Jfour of his side running while the fielders jump into action, ball jchasing and b.acking up at the | bases, which keeps the game going at a fast clip. ! It is a popular fallacy that the) 'ball is soft. It may seem light in view of its size, but the cover is of pig skin and is heavily seamstitched and packed tight. It weighs about five ounce's and is far from soft when hurled at full speed from a distance of from- 10 to 12 yards. Consequently most players are grateful for the mits and gloves. And now for the game. The field |of play need not be large, four games being possible in a similar space to that occupied by a cricket oval. In one corner there is the diamond, or rather a square turned cornerwise. In another the •batter's box, with first base going out to the right, second base opposite the batter and third base to the left. "Home" is when the batter has • completed a circuit and then one run eventuates,^, whether run in stages or in one' big hit, which is ealled a "home run." Immediately behind the batter is a catcher or wicket-keeper and midway between the batter and second base the pitcher. Also fielding are first, second and third |basemen, a short stop in midfield and three outfielders, making nine players to each side. The main object of the batter is [ to hit the ball where there are no |fieldsmen and inside first and ; third bases, and thqn run as far as possible without the basemen or fieldsmen placing the ball on him before he reaches a base. The ball must be pitched at the batter over the "home" plate, and must pass below the shoulders and above the knee, and that is when the umpire will call "strike," whether the batter 'has attempted to hit or not. When three "strikes" have been called, the batter can be out. If

the ball does not take the line of flight mentioned above and the batter has not attempted to swing at it, the umpire calls "ball," which is against the pitcher. Four "balls" allows the batter to advance to the first base. Combination between pitcher and catcher can see batters being called "out" wholesale. A game is of seven innings and each three batsmen out is the side out for that innings. Batting order is in rotation, so that no one batter can 'have more turns in the batter's box than the other. If at the end of the'Tirst innings No. 6 batsman was last man out, No. 7 is the first up when . the second innings of that side commences. The catcher has a. very big control over the game as he has to be a very quick thinker and an

accurate thrower. The position has its dangers when balls snieked off the bat fly in all directions, but not much harm can be done if he takes the precaution of using the mask. Women eatchers use a padded front. The eatchers "tap" players out on their way home or tiirow the ball to the baseman, who has a player running to his base, and often "double play" or two men running between bases can be put out with quick thinking and accurate throwing. This does not apply to' the catch.er alone, but to all players- who are fielding. First baseman fields in a handy position to his base, so that if he fields a ball or a ball is thrown to him he has only to place his foot on the base, or tap the batter eoming up to the safety zone or base. Second and third basemen have a similar role and they must also tap players before they can lay a hand or a foot on the base. The base runners, when pressed for .time, often spring or dive the last ten feet. Short stop is the handy man and places himself just outside t'he "diamond" for the shorter hits. His main job is also to back up all basemen when the ball is thrown at them. Outfielders' usually have a busy time, as they cover- the expanse of the field and it is essential for them to be good eatchers of the ball on the full. A batter can be caught out by any of the fieldsmen anywhere on ihe field,, whether in fair"(in or over the diamond) or foul territory, which area is outside first and tlfird base, and also by the catcher, providing the -ball has risen over six feet in the air. One of the big advantages of softball as a summer sport. is the short time necessary, usually onel to one and a-half hours, to play at game of seven innings, and he is a) very fit player who is looking for further activity. With the game goes an excellent socjal side and a team travels far afieid to take part in games as well as receiving visits from outside clubs. The principal- misconception about softball is in the 'name. There seems >to be a great deal of

'controversy over this, even among experienced players, the word baseball always seeming to crop up. Baseball is the game played by professionals in America, Canada and South Africa while all amateur players — and they are in the majority — play under softball rules. In New Zealand there are no professional players so that only the rulings of the New Zealand Softball Association are accepted. Tbe main difference between the two is in the pitching. The professional, with a mighty swing, hurls the ball in an over•&rm fashion, while the amateur relea'Ses the ball with an under&rm motion. Alt'hough the action is awkward and favoured^only by :a few, great speed of motion c&n Be gained with constant practice.