Softball	Schedule

About the Game

For softball, there are 2 categories of rules: slow pitch rules for recreation, and fast pitch rules for competition. At the Hiroshima Games, fast pitch rules apply, requiring speed and power. Most of softball's rules are similar to those of baseball. The biggest differences being the way the pitcher throws the ball -underhand- and in the strict rules on base running.

A softball games comprises 7 innings. If the score is tied when the 7th inning is over, extra innings are added. If the score is still tied after the 9th inning, the tie-breaking method is applied (in which an inning begins with no out, and a runner on 2nd base). Preliminary matches is via round-robin tournament system. The top 4 teams of this preliminary match win the right to play in the finals.