softball

Everyday

1. Softball is a team game like baseball, played on a smaller field with a bigger ball that is pitched underarm. tree →
2. A softball is the ball used in this game. tree →

In the lessons

Very popular in the USA, Canada and Australia, in schools and parks; in PE lessons pupils learn to bat, catch, throw and run the bases. Phrases: «play softball», «softball team», «softball game», «fast-pitch softball».

Examples

• We play softball in PE on Fridays. tree →
• My sister is the pitcher on her softball team. tree →
• The softball game was cancelled because of rain. tree →
• A softball is bigger than a baseball. tree →
• He hit the softball over the fence. tree →
• Our team scored 7 runs in the softball match. tree →
• Wear a helmet when you bat in softball. tree →

Note

Uncountable as a game («play softball»), countable as a ball («a softball»). Trap: a softball is not actually soft; it is hard and can hurt, so use gloves and helmets. In word problems, runs are the points: add runs from each inning for the total.