c. A game called by the umpire shall be regulation if five or more complete innings have been played, or if the team second at bat has scored more runs than the other team has scored in five or more innings. The umpire is empowered to call a game at any time because of darkness, rain, fire, panic or other cause, which puts the patrons or players in peril.

d. A regulation tie game shall be declared if the score is equal when the game is called at the end of five or more completed innings, or if the team second at bat has equaled the score of the first team at bat in the incomplete inning.

e. These provisions do not apply to any acts on the part of players or spectators, which might call for forfeiture of the game. The plate umpire may forfeit the game if any team member or spectator attacks any umpire physically.

f. The plate umpire shall declare a forfeit in favor of the team not at fault in the following cases:

1. If a team fails to appear on the field or, being on the field, refuses to begin a game for which it is scheduled or assigned at the time scheduled or within a time set for forfeitures by the organization in which the team is playing.

2. If, after the game has begun, one side refuses to continue to play, unless the game has been suspended or terminated by the umpire.

3. If, after the umpire has suspended play, one side fails to resume playing within two minutes after the umpire has called "PLAY BALL."

4. If a team employs tactics designed to delay or to hasten the game.

5. If, after warning by the umpire, any one of the rules of the game is willfully violated.

6. If the order for the removal or ejection of a player or any person authorized to sit on the team bench is not obeyed within one minute.

7. If, because of the removal or ejection of the players from the game by the umpire or for any cause there are less than 9 (FP ONLY), 10 (FP with a DP), 10 (SP ONLY), or 11 (SP with an EP) players on either team.

8. If a declared Ineligible Player re-enters the game and one pitch has been thrown.

9. If an ejected player/coach/manager is discovered participating in the game again.

g. A game that is

1. Not considered regulation, or

2. A regulation tie game, shall be replayed from the beginning. Original line-ups may be changed when the game is replayed.

Softball equipment

Ball

The ball is made from a synthetic core covered in leather. The ball is larger than a baseball.

Bat

Used to hit the ball and is usually made of high-grade aluminium alloy.

Batting glove

Used by the batter. (use is optional). It is a thin leather glove used to protect the batter's hand from blisters.

Diamond

Softball is usually played on a dirt infield and grass outfield. The softball field is called a diamond because the infield, the area enclosed by home plate and the three bases, forms a diamond shape.

Glove

A padded leather glove is used by the fielder to catch the ball.

Helmet (catcher) (skull cap)
A partial helmet is used by the catcher to protect the skull against any foul balls.

Mask (catcher)

A full-faced mask is used to protect the athlete's face against the fast moving ball.

Shin guards, Knee pads

Used to protect knees and shins of the catcher from the ball, and runners sliding into home plate.

Helmet (batter)

Used to protect the skull while batting and base running

Time and venue

The softball event of the 29th Olympic Games will be held at Fengtai Softball Field in Beijing from August 12-21, 2008.