Editing Softball (section)

===Modification of rules===
{{See also|Variations of softball}}
[[Image:Exxon Intramural Softball League - Defectors vs Offbase - Field 2 - 28 Aug 1996.jpg|thumb|Recreational game in progress, New Jersey, 1996]]
One reason for the popularity of softball is the ease of modification of its rules, thereby allowing the game to be adapted to a variety of skill levels. For example, in some slow pitch softball leagues a batter starts at bat with a count of one ball one strike. In some leagues, the number of home runs that can be hit by a team are limited. In other leagues, stealing of bases is prohibited. Some groups allow for a more defensive game by making home plate a force out for first base. This reduces scoring evenly on both sides, and allows for some margin of error.

Co-ed leagues sometimes adopt live-play rules intended to reduce gender inequality, under the assumption that men will be generally more powerful. In most co-ed or mixed gender leagues there is something called an encroachment line. This requires the outfielders to stay behind a line till the ball is hit. If an outfielder passes in front of this line before the female batter hits a fair ball, the batter will receive a single base or the result of the play, and the base runners will advance accordingly. The line will be 180 feet from home plate.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.crec.unl.edu/im/rules/Softball.pdf |title=Men's, Women's, and Co-Rec Slow Pitch Softball Rules |website=Crec.unl.edu |access-date=2017-01-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100601205324/http://www.crec.unl.edu/im/rules/Softball.pdf |archive-date=2010-06-01 |url-status=live }}</ref> One possible rule requires male batters to "switch hit".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tulane.edu/~im_sport/softball.htm |title=Tulane University Intramural Sports – Softball Rules |publisher=Tulane.edu |access-date=2012-10-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720061906/http://www.tulane.edu/~im_sport/softball.htm |archive-date=July 20, 2011 }}</ref> Some leagues even use different balls for male and female batters.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://recsports.gmu.edu/files/SoftballRulesASA.pdf |title=13.24 |website=Recsports.gmu.edu |access-date=2012-10-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120401080926/http://recsports.gmu.edu/files/SoftballRulesASA.pdf |archive-date=2012-04-01 }}</ref> While these modified rules are common, there are questions as to their place in modern adult sports.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.womentalksports.com/items/read/52/21422 |title=Coed Softball Rules: Institutionalized Sexism |publisher=Womentalksports.com |access-date=2012-10-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120407023254/http://www.womentalksports.com/items/read/52/21422 |archive-date=April 7, 2012 }}</ref>

Some leagues require teams to use limited flight softballs. These softballs, when hit, will not go as far as regular softballs. Other leagues limit the number of runs which can be scored in an inning. Five is a common limit.

By allowing these and other modifications, softball can be enjoyed by children, teenagers, and adults. Senior leagues with players over the age of 60 are not uncommon.

An example of a rule modification is the "offensive pitcher" (or "self pitch") often found in informal games where the emphasis is on the social rather than the competitive aspects of the game. The pitcher aids the batter by attempting to give the easiest pitch to hit. There are no walks, and a batter is normally given a fixed number of pitches to attempt to hit (usually 3 or 4). The batter is considered to strike out if the batter fails to hit the ball into fair territory after the given number of pitches. The pitcher does not act as a fielder, and a rule is often made that if a batted ball touches the pitcher, the batter is out.

In some leagues the number of pitches to walk or strikeout can be reduced. For instance, one strike is an out, and two balls is a walk. This is common in leagues where doubleheaders are played, or in late season leagues when reduced daylight is an issue. It results in shorter games, as players are more apt to swing, even at marginal pitches, rather than risk striking out on one pitch.

Many leagues also include a second first base immediately adjacent to the main one. This is usually orange and the batter running through first base is supposed to run straight through it. This minimizes the chances of a collision. By the same token some leagues have an alternate home plate and rule that plays at home are always force plays. In these cases there is typically a white line drawn approximately 1/3 of the way down the baseline that is considered a point of no return. This is designed to reduce the "Pickle" which can put a great strain on the ankles and knees of older baserunners.