Course Name: Team Sports Code: PE 3

Content: Softball/Baseball

OVERVIEW
Students improve their ability to achieve an identified goal in softball by
combining strategic awareness with skill execution. They develop an
understanding of common game situations and the ability to apply relevant
movement skills and sequences in demonstrating basic offensive and
defensive strategies. Students also apply basic movement concepts to modify
batting and fielding skills used in softball.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
At the end of the lesson, students should be able to:
• discuss the nature and background of Softball
• explain the health and fitness benefits derived from playing
Softball
• practice proper and acceptable behavior (e.g. fairness and respect
for authority) when participating in Softball
• proficiently execute basic skills and tactics in Softball
• interpret rules and regulations of Softball
• exhibit enjoyment in playing Softball

PRE-ACTIVITY
Examine the picture and answer the questions that follows.

1. What do you observe in the picture?

2. Does the game have similarities?
3. Is this a team sport?
4. What team sport is demonstrated in the picture?
CONTENT

Nature and Background of Softball/Baseball

Baseball and softball is a game played by two teams, each made up of
9 players. Baseball game lasts for 9 innings while softball lasts for 7 innings
except when the scored is tied at the end of the 9th inning for baseball and
7tht inning for softball where extra inning will be played until one team is
ahead of point against the opposing team after that extra inning, an inning is
completed when both teams have their turn at bat and fielding. The defensive
team is the fielding team that compose of a pitcher, catcher, a player on first
baseman, second baseman, baseman, the short stop, outfielders. The team
with most points after the 9th inning for baseball and 7th inning for softball
wins the match.

History
The game of baseball is said to have
begun in the early 19th century and the first
baseball clubs were formed around that time.
In 1845, an Englishmen named Alexander
Cartwright devised the first set of rules in
baseball. In fact. Many of the rules listed then
are still used in the game.
Baseball became a game of strategy and
hitting throughout the last part of the 20th
century. However, pitching and home run
hitting are the baseball benchmark of today.
Depending on the strength of their bull pens and there home runs hitters,
baseball teams are either big winners or big losers. The only consistent thing
is the cost of admission still continues to rise.
The name “softball” dates back to 1926. The name was coined by
Walter Hakanson of the YMCA at a meeting of the National Recreation
Congress. Other name for softball are “indoor baseball,” “kitten ball,”
“diamond ball,” “mush ball,” and “pumpkin ball.” The name softball had spread
across the United States by 1930, similar sports with different rules and name
were being played all over the United States and Canada. The formation of
the Joint Rules committee on Softball in 1934 standardized the rules and
naming throughout the United States.
The 117th meeting of the International Olympics Committee held in
Singapore in July 2005, voted to drop softball and baseball as Olympics sports
for the 2012 Summer Olympics Games.
The Equipment
Equipment used are: Gloves – a leather contraption that fits on the hand
and prevent the hands from injury when catching the ball; Ball - is a white
ball roughly three inches in diameter with red/white stitching; The bat, which
is made of wood in the professional ranks, and likely made of aluminum or a
metal composite at amateur levels. Almost all softball bats are aluminum or
metal.
Other equipment’s are: uniforms, and protective gear. For example, helmets
for the offensive team and a helmet, shin guard, and chest protector for the
defensive catcher. Also cleats, sliding shorts, face mask, and knee sliders may
be worn.

The Playing Field

Is the area within which the ball may be legally played and fielded. It is
bounded by a line on both side starting at the home plate going to the first
base and beyond on the right side and going to third base on the left side up
to a distance of 220 ft. which is known as the foul line. The fair territory is
divided into two halves: The part of the field bounded by the three bases and
the home plate is called the infield, and the grassy part behind the infield is
called the outfield. The distance between bases including the home plate is 90
feet that form the diamond. The foul territory is the area behind the foul line.
All batted balls that goes over the fence is awarded homerun. Other fields are
variable, and the outfield fences or the amount of “foul territory”.

Mechanics and Rules

The table shows the crucial aspects of baseball/softball regarding rules
and regulations. This should serve as your guide in playing baseball/softball.
Remember that you are playing amateur and not professional baseball/softball
player.
Aspect of the Game Things to Consider
Team Composition Nine players per team
(Pitcher, Catcher, 1st Baseman, 2nd
Baseman, 3rd Baseman, Short Stopper,
Right Fielder, Left Fielder, and Center
Fielder)
Start of play The chief will start the game with a toss coin
(whichever team wins the toss coin may
decides whether to they with offense or
defense)
 Duration of the Game Nine innings for Baseball and Seven innings
for Softball
Ball “In” and “ Out” of play The ball is “in play” if it is batted and lands on
the fair territory, it is a foul ball when it lands
on the foul territory behind the foul line.

Time – out When the play is temporarily suspended by

the chief umpire or at a request of a team to
discuss strategy or respond to an injured
player.
Substitutions Replacing a regular player with a substitute.

Batter/Baserunner is out • Batter unable to hit pitched ball that enter

the strike zone for 3 times.
• Base runner is tagged with the ball before
reaching the base.
• The batted ball is caught before it hits the
ground.
Serious Assault of an opposing player
Offenses/Misconduct Disrespecting officials
Overtime Extra inning is being played to break the tie.

Officials of the game Umpire, base umpires, scorer, and

timekeeper (in case innings are timed)

Skills to be Developed in Baseball/Softball

A. Pitching
Pitching is an important skill that puts the game to play. It is performed
by a pitcher in baseball and softball who stand at the pitcher’s plate.

Elements of Pitching:
Wind-up
Keep the front part of the right foot
in contact with the side of the plate. Shift
the weight to the back leg and take a
backward step.

Pivot
Pivoting in Baseball - the front foot to turn
parallel to the plate. Lift the left foot
 Stride
Take a wide step with your left foot then release
the ball.

Follow-through
After releasing the ball, continue the forward
motion, with the throwing arm pointing to the target
ball.

B. Batting
It is an offensive skill used to hit or bunt the pitched ball
using a bat done by the player to advance to the bases
and eventually leading to score a run or point. In this
skill, you must consider also the following elements:
Grip, stance, stride and swing.

Elements of Batting:
Grip
To get an effective grip, lay the handle of the
bat across the fingers of both hands, then wrap your
hands around the bat. Don’t hold the bat in the palms,
as this doesn’t allow you to flex and rotate your wrists
as well when you swing. Keep a light grip on the bat
until the moment you contact the ball to maximize
your speed to it

Stance
Place your feet shoulder width apart or slightly wider.
Your feet should be parallel to one another and aligned
direct under your shoulder. If you’re right handed, your left
side should be facing the pitcher, with your head pointed in
the direction the ball will be coming from. If you’re left
handed, it will be your right side. Above all, your stance
should be comfortable.
Stride
Place it where you stride when your front foot
lands, open or closed. If you are not striding directly back
at the pitcher, you'll feel it under your foot immediately.
If you can land in the same spot with good alignment and
direction back toward the pitcher, you have a better
chance of hitting the ball consistently.

Swing
The swing should begin with the hips, with the
shoulders following closely behind. Try to stay upright as
you rotate so you don’t come off your axis. Once the ball
leaves the pitcher’s hand, step out very slightly with the
front foot. Only move the foot 2-3 inches and be careful
not to come out of alignment in your core as you step.
This will increase the power of your swing by adding
directional force to the motion of the hips and shoulders.

C. Catching

It is a defensive skill used to receive a thrown ball

and batted ball.

D. Throwing It is the most basic skill in baseball and softball. Use in fielding
the ball to a teammate to make a play to a batter or base runner preventing
them to advance to the next base or home plate.

Elements of Throwing are the following:

Grip
Grip the ball across the seams with your index
and middle finger. The thumb is under the top of
the other fingers.
Delivery
Make a backward swing with bent elbows; lean
forward in transferring weight to the left foot and release
the soft/baseball.

Wind-up
Raise the throwing arm up and turn the shoulder in
the throw direction. The gloved hand points toward the
target. Raise the left foot and place all the weight of the
body on the right foot.

Follow-through
Point the throwing arm down-forward, putting
the feet parallel in a ready position during the game.

E. Running/Base-Running
It is a very important skill that a player needs to master because it
allows the player to advance from one base
to the next base or home plate.

Safety Precautions in Playing Baseball/Softball

1. Make certain that you wear all equipment that is issued by the coach.
Advise the coach of any poorly-fitted or defective equipment.
2. Advise the coach if you are ill or have any prolonged symptoms of
an illness.
3. Advise the coach if you have been injured.
4. Engage in warm-up activities prior to strenuous participation.
5. Be alert for any physical hazards in the locker room or in or around
the participation area. Advise coach of any hazard.
6. Recognize your surroundings; i.e., batters warming up, thrown
bats, batted or thrown balls, on-deck circle (one person at a time).
7. Use hard hats while batting/running bases/hitting in batting cages
(Baseball).
 8. Familiarize yourself with surroundings and grounds; i.e., fences, field
conditions such as holes, lips on infield edges, etc. when playing on away
fields.
9. Be aware of the potentially serious injuries to your ankles, knees, and
legs if you do not follow the correct procedures in base running. Sliding
head first into bases should be avoided.
10. Follow instructions regarding communication between players; i.e.,
talking and calling each other off on "pop flies" and etc.

Watch the following vidoes:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLU6W6AYQto
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwVYejPGS-k
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyK9ukm-23E
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJhX2lXcW1A

Prepared by:

PROF. JUAN PAOLO S. MEJIA

Instructor I