Baseball and softball
Baseball and softball are bat-and-ball games between two teams who take turns to bat and field, each batting until three of its players are out; the team with more runs wins. A batter is out on three strikes, on a caught ball or when a fielder beats them to first base with the ball. A baseball game is nine innings and a softball game seven. In softball the pitch must be underhand.
New to baseball and softball? Start here
Which to watch first, and how long
Start with Baseball. The original game; softball follows the same pattern in seven innings.
- Baseball
- Nine innings; each side bats until three are out in every inning
- Softball
- Seven innings
Lengths are from the rule book.
The big events, and why they matter
- 1World Baseball ClassicThe best-known national-team baseball event, with major-league players.About every 3 years (2023, 2026; next 2030) · Holder: Venezuela, 3–2 against the United States in Miami
- 2Olympic Games (baseball and softball)Back on the programme at Los Angeles 2028.Every 4 years · Holder: Japan won both
- 3WBSC Premier12The WBSC's world event for the top twelve ranked nations.Every 4 years (2015, 2019, 2024) · Holder: Chinese Taipei
- 4WBSC Women's Softball World CupThe softball world title.Every 2 years, in two stages (group stage 2026; finals in Redcliffe, 5 to 11 April 2027) · Holder: Japan, 6–1 against the United States at…
India
India has not played at the World Baseball Classic, the Premier12 or the Olympic baseball or softball tournaments [the three pages].
- World Baseball Classic: Has not played
- Baseball and softball at the Olympic Games: Has not played either
- WBSC Premier12: Has not played
Countries to know
India and the nations that have done best, biggest titles first.
- JapanWorld Baseball Classic: 3 titles (latest 2023); Baseball and softball at the Asian Games: 8 golds, 7 silvers, 4 bronzes (latest 2026)
- United StatesBaseball and softball at the Olympic Games: 4 golds, 3 silvers, 2 bronzes (latest 2020); WBSC Women's Softball World Cup: 12 golds, 5 silvers (latest 2024)
- South KoreaBaseball and softball at the Olympic Games: 1 gold, 1 bronze (latest 2008); Baseball and softball at the Asian Games: 7 golds, 1 silver, 1 bronze (latest 2026)
- CubaWorld Baseball Classic: runner-up once (latest 2006); Baseball and softball at the Olympic Games: 3 golds, 2 silvers (latest 2008)
Who runs it
| Rules made by | World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC), Official Rules of Baseball, 2025-2026 edition, and its softball rules |
| International federation | World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) |
| In India | Baseball: Amateur Baseball Federation of India, recognition restored, on the MYAS list for 2026 (entry 45). Softball has its own body, the Softball Association of India |
Where and when it is played
On a field with bases that runners must reach in turn. The big events: the World Baseball Classic about every three years, the Olympic Games (baseball and softball) and the WBSC Premier12 every four years.