• Fielders in a 16-inch game do not use gloves.old beaten softball close-up image by Rog999 from Fotolia.com
  
  Sixteen-inch softball is a game with very subtle differences from the 12-inch variety of the sport. The main difference being that instead of a hard 12-inch ball, the sport uses a softer 16-inch ball and fielders use no gloves. The sport is popular in the Midwest and, in many regions, is referred to as "Chicago softball." While any league can have its own specific modifications to the rules, there is an official set of rules regarding 16-inch softball.
  
  

Equipment

• A new 16-inch softball will be used at the start of every game. The ball will be broken in and made softer throughout the game. No gloves are allowed by the fielders, who must retrieve the ball with their bare hands. Softball bats, not baseball bats, are allowed in the game. Softball bats are shorter (usually about an inch less in length) and have barrels with a smaller diameter.
  
  

Field

• Sixteen-inch softball is played on fields of different length depending on the league. For men, the dimensions of the field are 60 feet in between each base. For women, the bases are 55 feet apart. In both cases, the pitching mound is 38 feet from home plate.
  
  

Fielders

• Ten fielders will be allowed to play, with four fielders playing in the outfield. The fourth outfielder is considered a "rover" and they are allowed to move around the outfield at will.
  
  

Base Running

• Runners cannot steal a base, but they will be allowed to take a lead as soon as the ball leaves the pitcher's hand toward the plate. If the lead is too long, catchers can throw the ball toward the base the runners are at to tag them out.
  
  

Batting

• Full swings must be taken at the plate. In other words, no one is allowed to bunt. The construction of the batting order is generally dependent on the specific league the softball is being played in, but for co-ed leagues the batting order must rotate between a boy and a girl.
  
  

Length of Game

• Games last seven innings. In the event of a tie, the game will continue in extra innings until a winner is determined.