what's the difference between softball and baseball

Softball and baseball look similar, but they differ in ball size, field layout, pitching style, and even game length.

Quick Scoop

• Softball: bigger ball, smaller field, underhand pitching, 7 innings.

• Baseball: smaller ball, larger field, overhand pitching, 9 innings.

Field and distances

• Bases: Softball bases are 60 ft apart; baseball bases are 90 ft apart.

• Pitcher to batter: Around 43 ft in fastpitch softball vs 60 ft 6 in in baseball.

• Outfield: Softball fences are much closer; baseball parks often run ~330 ft down the lines and ~400 ft to center at higher levels.

Ball, bats, and field surface

• Ball size: A softball is larger and typically a bit softer than a baseball.

• Bats: Softball bats are often metal and can have slightly different barrel length and weight distribution than baseball bats, which may be wood or metal depending on level.

• Infield: Fastpitch softball usually uses a fully dirt “skinned” infield, while baseball infields at higher levels have grass with only cutout dirt areas.

Pitching and game style

• Pitching motion: Baseball pitchers throw overhand from an elevated mound; softball pitchers throw underhand (windmill style) from a flat circle.

• Speed vs distance: Baseball fastballs can exceed 90 mph, but from farther away; softball fastpitch can exceed 60 mph from much closer, so reaction time is comparable or even tighter.

• Innings: Standard softball games are 7 innings; baseball games are 9 innings.

Base running and game feel

• Leading off: In baseball, runners can lead off before the pitch; in many softball codes, runners must stay on the base until the ball is released.

• Pace: The smaller field and shorter distance from pitcher to hitter make softball feel faster and more compressed, with less time to react on defense.

Side‑by‑side overview

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Aspect	Softball	Baseball
Ball size	Larger “softball” (yellow or white)	Smaller white ball with red stitching
Base distance	60 ft between bases	90 ft between bases
Pitch distance	About 43 ft in fastpitch	60 ft 6 in
Pitching style	Underhand, from flat circle	Overhand, from raised mound
Innings	7 innings standard	9 innings standard
Field size	More compact, closer fences	Larger overall, deeper fences
Infield surface	All dirt “skinned” infield	Grass infield with dirt cutouts
Leading off	Often not allowed until pitch released	Allowed before pitch in play

**TL;DR:** Softball shrinks the field and enlarges the ball, with underhand pitching and fewer innings, while baseball stretches the field, uses overhand pitching, and generally plays a longer, more spread‑out game.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.