What are the ways a batter can be out in softball?
B · Beginner · The game · 3 of 4The main ways are three: a strikeout, a batted ball caught before it touches the ground, and a throw to first base that beats the batter there. The rule book adds others, among them an infield fly, a foul bunt with two strikes, hitting the ball with a foot outside the batter's box and coming to bat with an illegal bat.
How it works
- Strikeout: the catcher catches the third strike, or first base is occupied with fewer than two out.
- Dropped third strike: if the catcher does not catch strike three, the batter may run when first base is empty or there are two out.
- Fly out: a fielder catches the ball before it touches the ground.
- What a catch is: the ball held securely in the hand or glove long enough to show control.
- At first base: the batter-runner is tagged or the throw reaches the base before they do.
- Infield fly: with runners on first and second, or the bases full, and fewer than two out, a fair fly an infielder can catch with ordinary effort. The batter is out even if it drops.
- Intentional drop: with a runner on first and fewer than two out, an infielder who drops a fly on purpose after controlling it. The batter is out.
- Out of the box: hitting the ball with a foot completely outside the box and on the ground, or touching home plate.
- The bat: an illegal bat means the batter is out. An altered one means ejection as well.
- Foul bunt: with two strikes.
- The helmet: taking it off on purpose while the ball is live.
- Running wide: more than 1 metre from the base path to avoid a tag.
The glossary has the out, the catch, the fly ball, the bunt, the infield fly and the batter-runner.
Tricky cases
Strike three bounces in front of the catcher with two out and a runner on first. Can the batter run?
Yes. With two outs the batter may run on a dropped third strike even if first base is occupied.
A batter takes two running steps towards the pitcher and hits the ball with the front foot beyond the box. What is the call?
Out, if the foot is completely outside the lines and on the ground at contact. If the batter misses the ball, there is no penalty.
An infield fly is called and the ball drops untouched and rolls foul before first base. Is the batter out?
No. A declared infield fly that becomes a foul ball is treated as any other foul.
A fielder catches a fly ball and then drops it while taking it out of the glove to throw. Is it a catch?
Yes. It is a valid catch if the ball is dropped after the fielder reaches into the glove to remove it.
Why the rule exists
Outs are the game's clock, so each way of making one is defined closely. Several rules exist to stop the defence gaining by a trick: the infield fly and the intentional drop prevent a fielder from letting an easy ball fall to turn one out into two.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| First base empty, or two out | Batter may run on a dropped third strike | WBSC Softball Rule 5.1.46 |
| First base occupied, fewer than two out | Batter is out on strike three, caught or not | WBSC Softball Rule 5.4.4 a |
| Illegal bat | Batter out, bat removed | WBSC Softball Rule 5.4.4 b iii |
| Altered bat | Batter out and ejected | WBSC Softball Rule 5.4.4 b iii |
From the rule book
World Baseball Softball Confederation, Official Rules of Softball: Fast Pitch (2026-2029), Rules 5.1.9, 5.1.23, 5.1.26, 5.1.29, 5.1.46, 5.4.4, 5.5.2 and 5.8. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: WBSC Official Rules of Softball, Fast Pitch, 2026-2029 (PDF).