Like today's slow pitch teams, each squad consisted of ten players. Out of doors, the shortstop played in his normal position, but the tenth player, or short-fielder, was retained, playing anywhere on the field. This position was just right for a player with a strong, quick arm who could come in fast on a ground ball and throw out a batter at first base. The short-fielder is still used today, although not as regularly as in the past, especially at the major slow pitch level. Although as these big major softball teams are playing more games on full-sized baseball fields, some of the teams have begun to use three fast outfielders and five infielders.
Fast pitch continues to use the standard nine players.
During softball's early years, the rules, such as those governing the distance between the bases and between home plate and the pitcher's mound were in a constant state of flux. In fact, in a tournament held in Milwaukee in 1940, every one of the teams had played by different rules at least once during the year. The ASA, formed in 1933, gradually brought about standardization of the rules in every part of the country. But before the ASA, the first major attempt in this direction was made by the National Recreation Association at the request of confused recreation officials. Earnest W. Johnson of St. Paul, Minnesota, headed the rules committee.