Slow-Pitch Softball 6v6

Small-sided softball on two fields with slow arc pitching, like rec-league softball: the pitcher is from the fielding team and the ball must rise before dropping into the strike zone. Students practice batting, force plays, and following the rules.

How to play

1. Set up two diamonds with bases 50 ft apart and form four teams of 6; the extra student is the home plate umpire and rotates each inning (3 min).
2. The pitcher throws underhand from 33 ft with an arc between 5 and 10 ft high. Every batter starts with a 1-1 count to keep the game moving.
3. Three strikes is an out and four balls is a walk. A foul ball counts as a strike, except with two strikes.
4. Outs: a caught fly ball, a force out by stepping on the base with the ball, or a tag on a runner off the base.
5. The inning ends after 3 outs or 4 runs. Fielders rotate positions every inning.
6. Play 4 innings per team, then switch opponents (25 min).

Rules

• Safety: drop the bat in a 3 ft zone next to home; throwing it is an out.
• No stealing and no leaving the base before the ball is hit.
• The on-deck line waits behind a cone 20 ft from home, on the opposite side from the batter.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the student hits off a cone and a teammate runs for them; on defense, they play first base.
• Shy students: start as scorekeeper or home plate umpire before going into the field.
• Skill level: students who struggle can ask for two extra pitches.

Learning goals

• Hit an arcing pitch by timing the swing.
• Choose the right base on a force play.
• Apply the rules on balls, strikes, and outs with good sportsmanship.

Equipment for a class of 25

• soft bats: 4
• soft balls: 6
• bases: 8
• cones: 8

Teacher tip

Have everyone practice the arc first; if it's too flat, it turns into fast pitch. Set the two fields with home plates back to back so nobody gets hit by a ball from the other game.

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