My Extracurricular

                                                                               Softball 

  My extracurricular is softball or foster (The name of softball extracurricular in SMAN 3). Softball is variant of baseball played with a larger ball and smaller fields. I join foster as my extracurricular because I was intrested on playing softball and my father wanted me to join foster. 

  There are three types of softball. In the most common type, slow-pitch softball, the ball, which can measure either 11 or 12 inches in circumference depending on the age and league, must arch on its path to the batter, and there are 10 players in a team. In fast pitch softball, the pitch is fast, there are nine players on the field at one time, and bunting and stealing are permitted. Modified softball restricts the windmill windup of the pitcher, although the pitcher is allowed throw as hard as possible with the restricted back swing. Softball rules vary somewhat from those of baseball. Two major differences are that the ball must be pitched underhand from 14 m  as compared with 18 m in baseball and that seven innings instead of nine consecutive regulation game.

   Fast pitch softball is played between two teams on a large field, with nine players from one team on the field at a time. Slow-pitch softball is played with ten fielders. The field is usually composed of a dirt or brick-dust infield that contains the quadrilateral shape and running areas, and a grass outfield. However, the field can consist of other solid and dry surfaces such as artificial turf or asphalt. There are four bases on the infield (first base, second base, third base, and home plate); the bases are arranged in a square and are typically 13 to 19 meters apart. Near the center of this square is the pitcher's circle, and within the circle is the "rubber", a small flat rectangular piece of rubber about a foot and a half in length. The rubber can be 40 or 43 feet away from home plate.