Softball is a direct descendant of baseball and the rules of both sports are substantially similar and baseball is sometimes referred to as hardball to distinguish the two.

In softball games, each team consists of 17 players. The defense fields nine players at a time, while the offense takes turns batting. During the offensive inning, all nine players of the offense must bat the ball in order, but the pitcher is not required to bat. Softball games consist of seven innings, and both teams get a chance to bat and defend in each inning. Only the offense can score points. The team with the highest cumulative score after seven innings emerges as the winner. If the game is tied after seven innings, extra innings will be played until a winner is determined.

The softball of the Hangzhou Asian Games will be held in Shaoxing Baseball & Softball Sports Centre from September 26 to October 2, where the athletes will compete for 1 gold medal.