Special Olympics Softball is slow pitch softball, with all competitors having mental or physical disabilities.

Special Olympics softball is a form of slow-pitch softball played by two team of ten physically or mentally disabled athletes. As in all Special Olympics sports, athletes are grouped in competition divisions according to ability level, age and gender.

The goal of softball is to score more runs thatn the opposing team; runs are scored by hitting the ball and advancing around the bases until reaching home.

Teams consisting of nine players alternate between hitting and fielding for seven innings, with players hitting in a constant order and playing a constant position in the field. Pitchers must throw the ball underhand to batters that are allowed three missed attempts before being called out. Once on base, runners may not slide or make contact with another player. Once three outs have been recorded, teams switch sides.

Softball was introduced into the Special Olympics in 1983. 413 Special Olympics athletes participated in the 1999 Special Olympics World Summer Games held in North Carolina. As of 2005, 46,594 Special Olympics athletes compete in softball.

Ball
Bat
Glove
Bases

Special Olympics offers individual skills competition to allow athletes to train and compete in basic softball skills. The development of these key skills is necessary prior to advancing to team competition. These skills include base running, fielding and throwing. A player's final score is determined by adding together the scores achieved in each of the events.

http://www.specialolympics.org/Special+Olympics+Public+Website/English/Coach/Sports_Offered/Softball.htm