Baseball and softball are two very similar sports, thus sharing some common origins. Although they share some similarities, they have both evolved into their own sort of distinct games over time. Baseball is believed to have evolved in the early 19th century throughout the United States, despite there being roots in older bat-and-ball games such as cricket and rounders. Baseball became popular after the Civil War took place, and was eventually known as “America’s pastime.” On the other hand, softball had been invented during 1887 in Chicago, Illinois and was referred to originally as an indoor version of baseball. Kitten ball was another name baseball originally had, and was designed to be played in small spaces. The idea of the game quickly grew in popularity especially among women and many recreational leagues.

The two versions of this sport are played between two teams that take turns up at bat, and out on the field. Each team holds the main objective of scoring the most runs and making sure to get the other players out. In baseball, each team will have nine players out on the field while some softball teams would either have nine or ten. The field is shaped like a diamond with four bases, home plate, first, second, and third base. Home plate is where the catcher is found, where the person up at bat stands, and where you will step in order to make a run for your team. First, second and third base is where you will step as you and each of your teammates hits the ball. This is also where the fielders that play on each base will step in order to get you out. During both games, the pitcher will throw the ball towards the batter who will attempt to hit it and run the bases in order to score their team a run. Those who are out on the field will try to catch the ball or quickly get to it in order to get the player out.

Although there are similarities displayed within softball and baseball, there are also many differences between the two. Baseball is usually played on a larger field with a smaller, white ball and they pitch an overhand ball to the batter from the pitcher’s mound. In softball, they use a larger, yellow ball and they pitch an underhand ball from a flat pitching circle. The distance between each of the bases in softball is much shorter than those in a baseball game. This makes softball games a much faster pace and in some situations. Softball games are often only seven innings, while baseball games have nine innings. Despite all the differences, both of these sports have grown in popularity and are currently played at schools and most importantly on a more competitive level, such as the MLB.