AFL Softball Eddie Heng

Equipment: AFL Ball Bases Mats

Overview AFL Softball is devised of two equal teams. It is played similar to softball yet the softball is replaced with an AFL ball. Points are scored as per usual with a player on the kicking team getting to home base. All usual softball positions are maintained (i.e. Pitcher, outfielders, people on bases) with the exception of having a catcher (there is no catcher). The winner of the game is the team who have acquired the most home runs. Mitts or helmets are not required. Rules Pitcher: o The pitcher must call out a type of mark (out-in-front, chest-mark or over-the-head mark) when pitching. He/she then must hand pass the ball according to the appropriate mark. o Failure to provide the appropriate hand pass will result in a ball awarded to the other team o In addition, if the ball is not successfully hand-passed to the kicker (i.e. not going directly to the kicker via being too wide or short) a ball is also awarded. o Four balls will reward the kicker with a free walk to 1st base. The Kicker: o The kicker does not require an actual bat. A bat will instead be a kick. o When the pitcher has hand-passed the AFL ball and called out a type of mark, the kicker will then have to catch the ball according to the mark. o Failure to catch the ball with the appropriate mark will result in a strike. 3 strikes and youre out. o If the kicker successfully catches the ball with the appropriate mark, they will then be required to kick it anywhere they like and however they like. o If the ball gets caught on the full, the kicker is out. o The kicker must kick the ball within the diamond. Kicking the ball outside the diamond will result in a foul and a re-kick. No penalties. o The kicker must have the ball when running to each base. They must make at least 1 bounce when travelling to each base, otherwise they are out. o The kicker must then run out to the bases in the order: 1st > 2nd > 3rd . They can choose to stay at a base if they wish, but are forced to run if theres a player succeeding him. They are unable to overtake any players preceding him. Stealing bases is permitted. o The kicker can be caught out if they are touched with the AFL ball (either by hand-passing or by tagging) when they are not on a base. o The kickers team is awarded 1 point for every player reaching home. Fielders: o 3 fielders must take a respective position on all the bases o Fielders can arrange themselves however they like but no more than 3 fielders can be inside the inner diamond to reduce risk of injury. o A fielder can get anyone on the kicking team out by either: handpassing the ball and hitting them (below the shoulder only) or simply tagging them with the ball whilst holding it. o Fielders must hand-pass the ball or kick the ball to other team mates to get people out. Otherwise, the player of the kicking team is not out if the rules are not followed (e.g. having the ball thrown at them).

General Rules If a kicker is hit in the head when the pitcher hand-passes to them, they are rewarded with a free walk to 1st base. However, if the kicker deliberately forces the ball to hit their own head, they will be out. Teams will alternate batting and fielding when everyone on the kicking team has kicked once. If the players on the kicking team interfere with the fielding team passing the ball (e.g. swatting the ball away to gain distance) he/she is automatically out. Team with the most points win.

Conclusion AFL Softball is an enjoyable variant of AFL for high-school students. It actively practises all the necessary skills for AFL. The game play allows every player the chance to practise their bouncing, hand-passing, marking and kicking skills required for AFL. Incorporating softball features means that players are able to familiarise themselves with AFL skills whilst playing a game they most likely already know how to play or understand the mechanics of. AFL Softball is a great way to help new players to AFL prepare for an actual game.