Quick Guide: Softball

Softball is the sole women-only sport in the Olympics. The game is similar to baseball, with some key differences. Women's fastpitch, the variation used, is played over seven innings rather than nine, with a larger ball which is less dense (or softer) than a baseball. Pitching is underarm and the distance from pitcher to batter is shorter, while bats and playing area are also smaller. In substance, though, the game is the same, with teams trying to score runs against the opposition.

Eight teams play in a single pool, with each team facing the other seven. The top four then progress to a truncated play-off series - the top two face each other with the winners progressing to the final. The third and fourth-placed teams also face off, with the winners going on to face the losers of the game between the top two. The victors from that game take the second spot in the final. China qualify automatically as hosts, with the other seven places decided by various qualifying tournaments.

China, United States, Japan, Australia, Canada, Taiwan, Netherlands, Venezuela

Fengtai softball field