93 Softball Terms for Beginners: Get Started Wisely (2024)

Like other sports, softball has its own terms, definitions, and even some slang words so players can communicate better on the field. In this article, we will show you 93 softball terms that range from basic to advanced, including position-based and pitching terms.

If you are new to softball, don’t worry. We got you covered!

Basic softball terms everyone should know

Starting with the basics, here are some of the most well-known terminologies of softball:

1. At bat

When a player is taking their turn to hit.

2. Ball

A pitch that is outside of the strike zone and not swung at by the batter.

3. Base

One of four stations a baserunner must touch to score a run.

4. Batter

The player currently hitting.

5. Catcher

The player positioned behind the plate who catches pitches from the pitcher.

6. Diamond

The area where the game is played, typically a square shape.

7. Error

When a fielder fails to make a play that could have been made with ordinary effort, resulting in the batter or baserunner reaching base or advancing further.

8. Flyball

A ball hit into the air by the batter.

9. Foul ball

A ball that is hit outside the foul lines on either side of the field.

10. Force out

When a fielder steps on a base before the baserunner reaches it, forcing them out.

11. Home plate

The plate that the batter stands at and attempts to hit the ball from.

12. Home run

When a batter hits the ball out of the field of play and scores a run.

13. Infield

The area of the field within the diamond, including the four bases and the space in between.

14. Out

When a team records three outs, their turn at bat ends.

15. Pitch

The act of throwing the ball by the pitcher towards home plate.

16. Run

A score that is earned by crossing home plate.

17. Steal

When a baserunner advances to the next base without the batter hitting the ball.

18. Strike

A pitch that is thrown within the strike zone and not swung at by the batter.

19. Single play

When a batter hits the ball and reaches first base safely.

20. Double play

When a batter hits the ball and reaches second base safely.

21. Triple play

When a batter hits the ball and reaches third base safely.

22. Umpire

An official who is responsible for enforcing the rules of the game and making calls on the field.

Position-based terms in softball

When playing as a team, you need to learn softball terminology that relates to your positions. So you’ll understand the game at a deeper level.

23. Center fielder

The player positioned in the middle of the outfield.

24. Corner infielders

The first and third basem*n.

25. Corner outfielders

The left and right fielders.

26. First baseman

The player positioned at first base.

27. Infielder

Any player positioned in the infield.

28. Left fielder

The player positioned in left field.

29. Outfielder

Any player positioned in the outfield.

30. Pitcher

The player who throws the ball towards home plate.

31. Right fielder

The player positioned in right field.

32. Shortstop

The player positioned between second and third base.

Softball pitching terms

Pitching terms in softball help to explain activities around the most iconic act of the game, the pitch:

33. Changeup

A pitch that is thrown with the same motion as a fastball, but at a slower speed.

34. Curveball

A pitch that breaks toward the ground as it approaches the plate.

35. Fastball

A pitch that is thrown with maximum velocity.

36. Knuckleball

A pitch that is thrown with no spin, causing it to flutter in the air.

37. Screwball

A pitch that breaks towards the pitcher’s throwing arm side as it approaches the plate.

38. Slider

A pitch that breaks away from the pitcher’s throwing arm side as it approaches the plate.

Common slang in softball

When you practice, it’s common that your coaches and players to use softball slang terms to quickly communicate. That is always a good idea to keep things simple.

Here are some of the most common softball slang:

39. Ace

A team’s best-starting pitcher.

40. Batter’s box

The area where the batter stands while at bat.

41. Cheddar

A term used to describe a pitch that is thrown with a lot of velocity.

42. Clutch

A player who performs well in important moments.

43. Dinger

A home run.

44. Golden sombrero

When a batter strikes out four times in one game.

45. Grand slam

A home run hit with the bases loaded.

46. Jam

When a pitch is thrown inside, making it difficult for the batter to hit.

47. Juice

An illegal substance added to the ball to make it move more unpredictably.

48. Meatball

A pitch that is thrown right down the middle of the plate, making it an easy pitch to hit.

49. Moonshot

A high, deep fly ball hit to the outfield.

50. Ribbie

A run batted in (rbi).

51. Screwgie

A pitch that combines the mechanics of a screwball and a changeup.

52. Southpaw

A left-handed pitcher.

53. Strikeout

When a batter fails to make contact with the ball three times.

54. Wal

Ff – a game-ending play, often a hit or a walk, that scores the winning run.

Advanced terms

These terms come into handy for softball players who want to advance their games:

55. Cut fastball

A pitch that is thrown with the same motion as a fastball, but with a small amount of spin that causes it to cut in the opposite direction.

56. Drop ball

A pitch that is thrown with a backspin, causing it to drop suddenly as it approaches the plate.

57. Forkball

A pitch that is thrown with the pitcher’s fingers spread apart, causing it to drop suddenly as it approaches the plate.

58. Infield fly rule

A rule that is enforced when there are runners on first and second or bases loaded with less than two outs, where if an infield fly is hit, the batter is automatically out regardless of whether or not the ball is caught.

59. Junk ball

A pitch that is thrown with less velocity but more movement.

60. Pickoff

A move by the pitcher to throw the ball to a base in an attempt to get a baserunner out.

61. Pitchout

A pitch that is intentionally thrown outside of the strike zone to give the catcher a better chance to throw out a baserunner attempting to steal.

62. Sacrifice bunt

When a batter intentionally bunts the ball in order to advance a baserunner.

63. Screwball changeup

A pitch that combines the mechanics of a screwball and a changeup.

64. Setup

The act of throwing a series of pitches with the intent of setting up the batter for the final pitch.

65. Spli

Inger fastball – a pitch that is thrown with the pitcher’s fingers spread apart, causing it to drop suddenly as it approaches the plate.

66. Squeeze play

A play where the baserunner on third base attempts to score by running home while the batter bunts the ball.

Some uncommon terms in softball

These are not very common softball terms, although they may help in certain scenarios:

67. Appeal

When a fielding team or umpire asks for a second opinion on a play from the other umpires.

68. Brushback pitch

A pitch that is intentionally thrown inside and high to intimidate the batter.

69. co*cked wrist

A pitching grip where the pitcher’s wrist is bent back, causing the ball to have more spin and movement.

70. Dead ball

A ball that is no longer in play.

71. Designated player

A player who is designated to hit for another player in the lineup, but does not play in the field.

72. Designated hitter

A player who is designated to hit for the pitcher in the lineup, but does not play in the field.

73. Double header

Two games played in a row by the same teams on the same day.

74. Eephus pitch

A slow, high-arcing pitch that is thrown with the intent of catching the batter off-guard.

75. Hidden ball trick

A play where a fielder pretends to throw the ball back to the pitcher, but instead hides it and waits for the baserunner to take their lead off the base, before tagging them out.

76. Intentional walk

When a pitcher intentionally throws four balls outside of the strike zone to give the batter a free pass to first base.

77. Knuckleball

A pitch that is thrown with minimal spin, causing it to move erratically as it approaches the plate.

78. Line drive

A hard-hit ball that travels low and straight. It has a fairly consistent height from the ground that looks like a straight line.

79. Mendoza line

A batting average of .200.

80. National pastime

A term often used to describe baseball or softball in the united states.

81. Passed ball

A pitch that the catcher fails to catch or control, allowing a baserunner to advance.

82. Perfect game

A game where a pitcher throws a complete game without allowing any hits or walks.

83. Pine tar

A sticky substance used by batters to improve their grip on the bat.

84. Po

P – a high, short fly ball hit in the infield.

85. Quality start

A pitching statistic where a starting pitcher completes at least six innings while allowing three earned runs or fewer.

86. Rain delay

A pause in the game due to inclement weather.

87. Rally

When a team scores several runs in a single inning to make a comeback.

88. Scoop

When a fielder picks a ball up off the ground with a glove that is angled downwards.

89. Shutout

A game where a pitcher or group of pitchers prevent the opposing team from scoring any runs.

90. Slap hitter

A batter who primarily hits the ball with a short, quick swing, often attempting to place the ball in a gap between infielders.

91. Sock

Hitting the ball hard, resulting in a solid hit.

92. Tag

The act of touching a baserunner with the ball or the glove while they are not on a base, resulting in an out.

93. Warning track

A strip of differently colored turf on the outfield indicates that the wall is near and the fielder should prepare to make a catch or stop a ball from going over the fence.

Conclusion

So, you’ve learned almost all softball terms possible. Congratulation! Now you can watch, learn, or participate in every softball game with confidence.

We hope you like this article. Thanks for stopping by Softball Triple.