Softball Gala Day
Skill focus: Playing as a team
Session equipment
An area approximately 50m x 50m per group
4 bases
Boundary markers
1 bat
1 ball
1 batting tee
1 glove per player
Batting helmets
Catching gear
Gala day draw
Download Softball - Gala day activity card to support teaching before and during the sport session.
Fast start - Student choice
Choose one of the Fast starts played in the Softball unit to use as a warm-up for the Softball gala day competition.
Softball gala day
Organisation
In the week prior to the gala-day, students may be given time to create signs to support their team at the gala-day.
Explain the organisation of the matches being played using the gala day draw below. Each game will be approximately 40 minutes.
Select a student from each team to be the team captain for the gala-day.
Give students 5 minutes to meet as a team to decide on starting positions and strategies for their first game.
Setup
Set-up ground prior to session.
Place the home base plate on the ground and walk fifteen (15) metres on an angle, similar to a diamond shape as shown in the field description, and place first base on the ground.
Continue to place second and third base, fifteen (15) metres apart, on the ground to make up your field.
The pitching plate is to be placed on the ground ten (10) metres from home base, in between home and second base (as per diagram).
Gala day draw
Use results in 'Softball results spreadsheet' to determine the team who finishes the round games in 1st position, 2nd position, 3rd position and 4th position.
Student engagement
Teams that are not playing in a game can take on officiating roles and also be the spectators.
Officiating responsibilities may include:
time keeping
side line umpire
scoring
ground control
Rules and guidelines
Overview
Modified Softball rules apply for the Softball gala day.
Teams consist of 5 to 7 players.
Game Length – 3 innings per team (innings is completed when every player on the batting team has completed a turn at bat). Swap over.
Game Time – At least 30 minutes
Scoring
One point is scored for each base touched (by the batting team.
One point for each ‘out’ (for the fielding team).
Rules
Pitching
The coach / teacher pitches underarm.
Batting
Each player has a maximum of 3 pitches per turn. If the batter does not hit the pitches, they are permitted one swing off the tee. If no contact is made, or the ball is foul, the batter retires.
No base stealing is allowed.
A player is out when:
Caught on the full
A fielder with the ball stands on the base before the runner arrives
A runner between bases is tagged by a fielder with the ball.
Catcher
Catchers are introduced and must wear full catching gear. Catchers should stand a safe distance behind the batter.
Fielders
Play stops after the ball is fielded and thrown to a base.
Rotate fielding positions each innings.
Reflection
2 stars and a wish
Ask students - what are 2 things you feel you did well today?
What skills / strategies will you take away from softball that you can use for our next sport?
Students can answer reflection questions as a whole class, small group or in pairs.
Softball certificates
Teachers may choose to award students with certificates for their involvement in the Softball unit.
Certificates available for download include:
Sport education teaching resource feedback
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