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100 Softball Trivia Questions, Answers, and Fun Facts

How much do you know about Softball? This category is for trivia questions and answers related to Softball (Sports). Each one is filled with fun facts and interesting information.
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1 How long is an ASA softball game?
Answer: 1:15

Most of the time softball games don't get past six innings. Non-ASA games are seven innings regardless.
  From Quiz: Softball
2 What does a K stand for?
Answer: Strike out

A backwards K means the person struck out by not swinging at the last pitch.
  From Quiz: Softball Statistics
3 Which player throws the ball over the home plate to the batter?
Answer: Pitcher

The pitcher throws the ball underarm over the home plate to the batter. They attempt to pitch a maximum of 7 balls, to the batter, with a combination of strikes and balls, allowing a pitcher 4 balls, 3 strikes (this count excludes fouls).
    Your options: [ Batter ] [ Shortstop ] [ Catcher ] [ Pitcher ]
  From Quiz: Basic Softball
4 Who won the very first ISF women's World Championship?
Answer: Australia

This tournament was held in Melbourne, Australia. Australia won the final 1-0 against the USA.
  From Quiz: General Softball
5 A runner is allowed to tag on a fly ball with less than two outs.
Answer: Both

It is generally easier to tag up from third base to home. Very rarely will a runner tag up from first to second base.
    Your options: [ Neither ] [ Baseball ] [ Both ] [ Softball ]
  From Quiz: Softball vs Baseball
6 The US softball team won the back to back gold medals, what year was the second medal won?
Answer: 2000

In 2000, the US softball team won their second consecutive gold medal at the Olympic Games. Softball was introduced as an Olympic sport in 1996, and the US team dominated the competition, winning gold in both 1996 and 2000. The team's success was due in part to the pitching of Lisa Fernandez, who was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player in both 1996 and 2000. The US softball team continued to be a dominant force in the sport, winning gold again in 2004 before softball was removed from the Olympic program.
  From Quiz: USA Softball
7 A batter swings and hits the ball. After laying down the bat and running to first, the ball hits the bat in fair territory. What is the call on this play?
Answer: The ball is live. The batter is not out.

If the batter were to intentionally hit the ball a second time, then they would be ruled out.
  From Quiz: You Make The Call
8 When can you take a lead off base?
Answer: When the pitcher releases the ball

Since the running distance is shorter than in baseball, you have to wait till the pitcher releases.
  From Quiz: Softball
9 What does HR stand for?
Answer: Home run

That is when the ball goes over the fence in the air .. unless it's an inside the park home run!
  From Quiz: Softball Statistics
10 In the 1996 Olympics when Australia and the US were playing in the rounds. What controversial event happened for the US team?
Answer: A US Batter/Runner missed home plate on a over the fence home run!

This led to Joanne Brown hitting a home run for Australia, hitting home plate with two feet and winning the game for Australia.
  From Quiz: Softball
11 How many players are there in the field in slow pitch?
Answer: 10

In fast pitch, there can only be 9 players on a field at one time. In slow pitch, you can add an extra player, making the total 10.
  From Quiz: Slow Pitch Softball
12 Which base is opposite to the home plate?
Answer: 2nd Base

The second base player stands near their base but stands on the line between 1st base and second base, so they can backup 1st base if the batter has bunted.
    Your options: [ 1st Base ] [ Pitcher's mound ] [ 3rd Base ] [ 2nd Base ]
  From Quiz: Basic Softball
13 A runner is allowed to take a lead off from a base before the pitcher has released the ball.
Answer: Baseball

You may not leave the base in fastpitch softball until the pitcher has released the ball.
    Your options: [ Neither ] [ Softball ] [ Baseball ] [ Both ]
  From Quiz: Softball vs Baseball
14 With a runner on first, the batter hits a ground ball to the first baseman who steps on first and then tags the runner who has remained on first. Who is out?
Answer: Only the batter is out.

The runner is not out since the force play was removed when the first baseman stepped on first to retire the batter. The batter is the only out.
  From Quiz: You Make The Call
15 What color are softballs?
Answer: Yellow or White

They made them yellow, and some are white also.
  From Quiz: Softball
16 In the 2000 Summer Olympics, which Australian realised that the U.S. player had missed home plate and got the Australian team to tag the runner?
Answer: Kerry Dienelt, the First Base

It was Kerry Dienelt, who was playing first base, and she got her team to tag the runner out. Australia went on to win the bronze medal.
    Your options: [ Brooke Wilins, the Pitcher ] [ Bob Crudginton, the Coach ] [ Kerry Dienelt, the First Base ] [ Joanne Brown, the Catcher ]
  From Quiz: Softball
17 After how many balls does a batter walk to 1st base?
Answer: 4

A batter can have a combination of 4 balls and 3 strikes pitched to them, but when the batter gets 4 balls, they automatically walk to 1st base. A ball is considered to be above the underarm, and below the knee. The area in between is the strike zone.
  From Quiz: Basic Softball
18 Who won the Olympic gold medal at the 1996 Atlanta games?
Answer: USA

USA beat China for the gold, Australia finished 3rd with Japan in 4th place.
  From Quiz: General Softball
19 The pitcher can throw a fastball, curveball, and change-up.
Answer: Both baseball and softball

Most people do not realize the many different pitches that you can throw in fastpitch softball. Others include a riser, drop ball, and a knuckleball.
    Your options: [ Neither ] [ Baseball ] [ Both baseball and softball ] [ Softball ]
  From Quiz: Softball vs Baseball
20 How many players are there on the US softball team?
Answer: 16

Softball is a variant of baseball that is played on a smaller field with a larger ball. The US softball team consists of 16 players, including pitchers, catchers, infielders, and outfielders. Softball was originally invented as an indoor game in 1887, but it quickly spread to outdoor fields and became popular in the United States and around the world. Softball was added to the Olympic program in 1996, and the US team has won three gold medals and one silver medal in the sport. The team is known for its strong pitching and hitting, and many of its players have gone on to successful careers in professional softball leagues.
  From Quiz: USA Softball
21 How many defensive players are on a field at a time per team?
Answer: 9

Sometimes in slow pitch there are 10, because they put in one extra outfielder.
  From Quiz: Softball
22 What is the maximum number of innings you can have in a softball match, without having a tie-breaker?
Answer: Seven

You can have Seven innings, and if the score is still tied after seven you can have a tie-breaker.
  From Quiz: Softball
23 How many outfielders are there in a slow pitch game?
Answer: 4

There are 4 outfielders: left, center, right, left center short. In fast pitch, there are only 3 outfielders.
  From Quiz: Slow Pitch Softball
24 What is the name of the softball area that the game is played on?
Answer: Diamond

A softball diamond consists of home plate, a 1st base, 2nd base, and a 3rd base.
  From Quiz: Basic Softball
25 What claim to fame does Joanne Brown (Australia) have from the 1996 Olympic tournament?
Answer: hit the winning home run against the USA in the round robin to stun the crowd

Being an Aussie, I'll never forget this, down 2-1 with a runner on base, 2 out and 2 strikes, she hits the ball over left-field fence to win the game.
  From Quiz: General Softball
26 Outfield fences are generally 450 to 550 feet from home plate.
Answer: Neither

Fences in the majority of baseball parks are from 300 to 430 feet. In most fastpitch parks, fences range from 200 to 330 feet.
    Your options: [ Both ] [ Baseball ] [ Neither ] [ Softball ]
  From Quiz: Softball vs Baseball
27 When softball was once played in the Olympics, when was it played?
Answer: Summer

It would be hard to play softball in the winter.
  From Quiz: Softball
28 What are the three grades played at National Championships in Australia?
Answer: Under 16's, Under 19's and Opens

These three grades are played at both mens and womens Championships, usually throughout the first three months of the year.
  From Quiz: Softball
29 How many umpires are there in a game of slow pitch?
Answer: 2

There are usually 2 umpires in a game of slow pitch. However, in fast pitch there are usually 3, although there have been 2 umpires in some games.
  From Quiz: Slow Pitch Softball
30 How many players are there in the outfield in fast pitch?
Answer: 3

Left field, Centre field, and Right field.
  From Quiz: Basic Softball
31 Lisa Fernandez played for ____________ ?
Answer: USA

She is a very good player, in the 1998 World Championships, she pitched the final against Australia for no runs, and hit the only home run for the game for a 1-0 win.
  From Quiz: General Softball
32 Types of bunts include a drag bunt, slap bunt, and a sacrifice bunt.
Answer: Both

Lefties generally slap in softball and baseball. They are closer to first base and can get there quicker.
    Your options: [ Neither ] [ Baseball ] [ Both ] [ Softball ]
  From Quiz: Softball vs Baseball
33 What team did USA beat in gold medal game in 2000?
Answer: Japan

The USA softball team defeated Japan in the gold medal game of the 2000 Olympics. Softball was introduced as an Olympic sport in 1996 and was played in four consecutive Olympics until it was removed from the program after the 2008 Beijing Games. The USA dominated the sport, winning three gold medals and one silver medal in the four Olympics that softball was played. The 2000 gold medal game was a close match, with the USA winning 2-1 in extra innings.
  From Quiz: USA Softball
34 In what two years did the US softball team win the gold?
Answer: 1996 and 2000

The Olympics are played only on even numbered years. 1999 and 2001 are odd numbers, so there weren't any Olympic games those 2 years. That was the clue, if you knew that.
  From Quiz: Fast Pitch Softball
35 What word is used when 3 players are batted or run out in one pitched ball?
Answer: Triple-play

3 players to get out, eg. 1. The batter hits a flyball, and its caught, 2. A runner attempts to run to second base, the ball is caught and the player tagged out,3. A runner attempts to run to home plate to score a run, the catcher catches the ball and tags the runner before touching home plate. Three Out = Triple Play!
  From Quiz: Basic Softball
36 The third baseman generally plays in front of the base.
Answer: Softball

Most coaches will have their third baseman play the bunt in fastpitch softball. In baseball for the most part, the third baseman play even with or behind the bag.
    Your options: [ Neither ] [ Baseball ] [ Softball ] [ Both ]
  From Quiz: Softball vs Baseball
37 With a runner on first, one out, and two strikes to the batter, the batter swings at and misses a pitch that hits their hand. The runner is attempting a steal at second and is tagged out prior to reaching the base. What is the call?
Answer: Dead ball. The batter is the only out.

The ball becomes dead immediately once it hit the batter, so the runner could not advance. Since the batter swung at the pitch and missed, that is the third strike and the second out.
  From Quiz: You Make The Call
38 HP or HBP or stands for?
Answer: Hit by pitch

That hurts! HBP can also be used to denote a hit batter.
  From Quiz: Softball Statistics
39 A batter is out after how many strikes?
Answer: 3

A batter gets three strikes and then they are out, the next batter comes to the plate.
  From Quiz: Basic Softball
40 If a hit ball lands in the outfield in fair territory, and bounces foul, the ball is ______ ?
Answer: Fair

A batted ball to the outfield is determined by where it lands, as opposed to an infield hit which is determined by where it settles. (Rule 1, Sec 23e).
  From Quiz: General Softball
The rest of the questions and answers can be found in our quizzes here:
Softball Quizzes