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Softball is baseball's friendlier cousin. The ball is bigger, the field is smaller, and in many versions the pitcher throws underhand, so it's easier to hit. That's why it's the classic office, church and neighborhood sport in the U.S. People sign up for a summer team, play one evening a week, and go out for food afterward.

Because it's so social, a lot of softball talk isn't about skill at all. It's about who's coming, who's bringing the bats, and whether the game's canceled because of rain. Expect phrases like show up, sign up and call off.

You'll also hear slow-pitch and fast-pitch. Slow-pitch is the relaxed version most adult teams play. Fast-pitch is serious and quick, and it's what school and college teams play.

Phrases

a game like baseball with a larger ball and a smaller field

the relaxed version and the fast, serious version

throw with your arm moving low and forward

a team with both men and women

put your name down to join

arrive, come to an event

cancel an event

two games played one after the other

the bench area where the team sits

the leather hand cover for catching the ball

the honest end of most adult games

whose turn is it to bat

Say it out loud

Tap a sentence to hear it. Say it after the voice.

Practice · 3 min

Say one natural line for each situation.

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Say it today

Use it once in a real conversation before tomorrow. Out loud counts, even to yourself.