Situational Softball: Where's the Play?

Situational softball: a card shows the number of outs and where the runners are, and the defense must decide before each hit where the play will go. Students practice reading the game, anticipating, and applying the rules.

How to play

1. Set up two diamonds with bases 50 ft apart. On each, a defense of 6 plays against an offense of 6-7 (3 min).
2. The teacher gives each field a deck of situation cards, such as '1 out, runner on first.' The offense sets up as the card shows.
3. Before each hit, the defensive captain asks 'Where's the play?' and every fielder points to the base they would throw to.
4. The batter hits off a tall cone and everyone plays it out live: force out, double play, throw to first, or holding runners.
5. The defense earns 1 point for the right play and 1 more for getting the out; the offense earns 1 point for each base gained.
6. After 4 cards, rotate batters and fielders; at halftime, the teams switch roles (20 min).

Rules

• Safety: runners may not crash into a fielder covering a base; if they do, they are out.
• A force out is made by stepping on the base; otherwise, the runner must be tagged.
• The batter always runs to first after the hit.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the student acts as defensive captain or first baseman, and a teammate runs for them on offense.
• Autism: each card shows a drawing of the diamond with the runners marked.
• Skill level: students who are unsure can check with a teammate before pointing.

Learning goals

• Identify the right base to throw to based on outs and runners.
• Anticipate the play before the ball is hit.
• Apply the rules for force outs and tag plays.

Equipment for a class of 25

• soft bats: 2
• soft balls: 4
• bases: 8
• cards: 24

Teacher tip

Prepare 12 cards before class and start with simple situations. After any close play, pause for 10 seconds and ask the defense why they chose that base.

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