Last updated on November 8th, 2023 at 10:46 am
Softball players can score a run for their team when they touch home plate safely. They can only score a run by touching each base around the diamond before getting to home plate. There are numerous ways to score a run during a softball game. Here is the complete guide about softball scoring.
What are the Ways to Score a Run in Softball?
There are numerous ways that a team can score a run in softball. Here is the breakdown of ways to score a run in softball.
Getting a Base Hit
A hitter who gets a single, double, or triple can score anyone who is on base. For example, a hitter who hits a single in center field and a baserunner on second base on third base comes home to score from that hit. Sometimes a baserunner can score from first base on a hit to the gap in the outfield. Usually, that runner is fast enough to go from first base to home plate on a hit.
Hitting a Home Run
Hitting a home run is an automatic run score in softball. If a player hits the ball over the outfield fence without touching the ground and stays fair, it is an automatic run. That player who hit the home run has to trout around the bases before coming home to touch the plate to score.
If there are other players on base, like second and third base, that home run becomes a three-run home run because everyone scores. If the bases are loaded, meaning runners on first, second, and third, it is a grand slam, and four runs scored.
You can also hit an inside the park home run in softball, which means you score without the ball going over the fence. The way to achieve an inside the park homerun is with speed and excellent ball placement in the outfield.
Stealing Home Plate
Players can steal bases in fastpitch softball, but the rules are different from baseball. Stealing bases in fastpitch softball can only occur after the pitch occurs, and the runner must have one foot on the base before they steal a base. A player can steal home plate during a fastpitch softball game, usually from a passed ball, but it is risky because you can get thrown out at home via a tag.
Stealing home plate in softball means that a runner took off towards home plate to get there before being tagged out. You tend to see players steal home on a wild pitch, and they will slide into the base to beat the tag. If the catcher, or any player, tags the runner out before they cross home plate, they are out and don’t score.
Walking in a Run
A base on balls means that a hitter got on first base from drawing four balls. They can also bring in a run if they got a hit by a pitch since that automatically moves them to first base. If a runner is on first base during the walk, that runner automatically moves to second base since the hitter must occupy first base now. Every runner moves up one base if bases are loaded, which means a run score.
If a runner is on third base and nobody is on second base, the runner does not score. A walk that drives in a run must have bases loaded.
Sacrifice Fly
A sacrifice fly in softball occurs when there is a runner on third base, and there are less than two outs in the inning when the hitter hits a pop-up in the outfield. If the ball is deep enough, the runner will keep one foot on the base and take off to home plate when the outfielder catches the ball. If the runner can touch home before a tag with the ball at home plate, they score a run.
A sacrifice fly can also occur in foul territory. For example, if the fly ball goes out to the left-field and the outfielder catches the ball in foul territory, the baserunner can still take off for home plate to score.
A Fielder’s Choice
The concept of a fielder’s choice works that if a hitter hits a ground ball to an infielder, the baserunner on third base can take off to home plate to score. In this instance, there is no sacrifice fly, but it is still a productive out since the scorer got home safely.
Slap Bunt
One popular way to score a run in softball is with a slap bunt. Teams practice this play by having a hitter make contact with the ball to bounce it on the ground. From there, the runner on third base can then break towards home because it forces an infielder to get the grounder, throw it to home plate, and tag the baserunner before they reach home plate, which tends to be difficult. Most infielders will opt for the easy out at the first base during a slap bunt play.
Scoring on a Double Play
A team can score a run in softball on a double play as long as the last out is not the third out. For example, if there are no outs and bases are loaded, a hitter can ground into a double play and still get the runner from third home to score. For example, the runner on the third base scored a run because they had to move to the next base on the grounder, and the double play took place at second and first base.
Scoring on an Error
A team can score a run in softball via an error by the defense. For example, the pitcher throws the ball over the first baseman’s head and into right field, which allows other baserunners to move up to the next base. Some players might even try and score from the second base if they are fast and believe they can get to home plate before the ball gets there via a slide.
Can you score on a Foul Ball in Softball?
A team can’t score a run in softball via a foul ball. A ball landing in foul territory or the stands is a dead ball. That foul ball also counts as a strike against the batter, and they keep batting in the batter’s box, and the runner goes back to their original base.
Conclusion: How Does Softball Scoring Work
In summary, there are many ways that a team can score a run during a softball game. A team can score runs by getting a clean hit, a home run, scoring on an error, double play, and more. However, the only way to achieve a run in softball is that your team must be batting. The defense can’t score any runs during a softball game.
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Greg Kristan, owner of The Stadium Reviews, LLC and TM Blast, LLC, brings his extensive experience visiting over half of the MLB ballparks, along with numerous MLS, NHL, NBA, and NFL venues, to provide in-depth coverage on the bag policy, food options, and parking. He has also been interviewed about his experiences on several sports podcasts.