softball

Softball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams, usually with nine or ten players on each side, depending on the format. It is closely related to baseball but has several clear differences: a larger ball, a smaller field, and underhand pitching instead of overhand pitching. The word can also refer to the ball itself, which is usually larger than a baseball and is often bright yellow in modern games.

The sport began in Chicago in 1887 as an indoor version of baseball. Over time, it developed into its own game and kept the name "softball," even though the modern ball is not especially soft. Today, people play it in schools, community leagues, and serious competitive settings. Two common forms are slowpitch, where the ball travels in a high arc and hitting is a big focus, and fastpitch, where the game is quicker and the pitching is more powerful.

Beyond the literal sports meaning, "softball" is also a common figurative noun in English. A "softball" or a "softball question" is a question, topic, or offer that is easy to deal with and does not put much pressure on the other person. For example, in an interview, a friendly host might begin with a few softballs before asking anything difficult. In that sense, the idea is not about bats or fields at all; it is about something gentle, easy, or safe.

Because of these uses, the word "softball" usually means one of three things: the sport, the ball used in that sport, or an easy question or situation in conversation. The intended meaning is normally clear from context.