Softball: Pronunciation: \-?bo?l\
a sport similiar to baseball played on a small diamond with a ball that is larger than a baseball and that is pitched underhand

At the youth level, softball is a game primarily played by girls. Its rules are quite similar to baseball's, in which one team attempts to score runs by hitting a ball with a wooden or metal bat, and the defending team attempts to limit hits or runs by fielding or pitching. 9.8 million people participated in softball in 2007, 5.6 million of which were female.

Slow Pitch softball is a fast-paced game that requires strength and patience. Although the pitcher throws the ball underhand at a slow speed, the ball is easier to hit. The ball used in slow pitch softball is smaller and denser than it is in fast pitch, making slow pitch softball a much more high hitting game. Therefore, a slow pitch softball field is typically larger, to make it more difficult to score.

A softball game can last anywhere from four to nine innings, depending on the league and rules. Softball is the most popular participant sport in the United States with almost 60 million people participating at some level each year!

MomsTeam's goal is to provide comprehensive information on softball: advice on the equipment needed and how to buy it, a primer on the rules of the sport, and videos and advice from experts, parents, and manufacturers of softball gear.

But to do that we are going to need your help. If you are a parent of a child who plays or has played softball, we hope you will share what you have learned with other MomsTeam parents. Please consider writing a blog, contributing an article, posting on and/or hosting a Forum, or becoming a softball expert. If you know of someone who used to play or coach softball who has knowledge to share, ask him or her to join. Together we can make MomsTeam a true community of sports parents!

-Brooke de Lench - MomsTeam Founder