Arena Softball Offers Fast and Fun Version of Regular Softball

Invented in 2001, arena softball is nothing like the softball many of us have played in years past. Fast, fun and never boring - even for those playing right field - arena softball appeals to players of all levels.

I recently had the opportunity to watch an arena softball game at the Eagan Civic Arena in Eagan, Minn. Being an avid softball player well into my adult years, I thought it was a joke when I was invited to attend a game called arena softball. But, my skepticism soon changed to amusement and then to serious interest. Arena softball hardly resembles the kind of softball I've played, but after watching a couple of games, I'm hooked.

This new form of softball was invented in Roseville, Calif., where the first arena softball facility was opened. Eagan, Minn. has the only other arena softball facility, which boasts six teams consisting of both men and women players.

Arena softball is played in slow pitch format on a regulation size diamond or infield, with a short 40-foot outfield - all completely enclosed by a tight net. Each team consists of nine players, and one umpire who calls the game using a headset and a personal digital assistant (PDA) to keep track of the scores on the scoreboard.

A game consists of four innings, instead of nine, with just 16 pitches thrown each half inning. Two strikes is an out; two balls is a walk. Every ball that's hit is a fair ball. There is no foul territory, thus there are no foul balls. This is sometimes hard for regular softball players to remember, especially when a mighty swing results in the ball ricocheting off the catcher.

Both the batting team and the fielding team can score points. The defense or fielding side gets 1/2 point for every out. For example, a ball caught off the net, before hitting the ground, earns the fielding team 1/2 point. The offense or batting side gets 1/2 point for every walk and a full point for safely crossing home plate.

There is a home run banner on the outfield net. A ball hit into the banner is an automatic home run. The short outfields make every batter a potential home run hitter. When the batter hits a home run, he or she doesn't round the bases, but returns to the dugout - actually the sidelines - after touching first base. There is no sliding or stealing bases.

Arena softball is a faster, more exciting game than regular softball. The ball has much more spring or bounce than a regular softball, making the game sometimes look more like a racquetball game than a softball game. Players usually get a chance to bat several times and are inclined to swing at or hit the first pitch because of the limited pitches in each half inning.

Time will tell if arena softball will catch on. But for this sports enthusiast, it already has.