History:
Play:
The earliest recognized softball game was played in Chicago on Thanksgiving in 1887. It took place at the Farragut Boat Club at a gathering to hear the outcome of an Ivy League football game. When the score was announced, and bets were settled, a Yale alumnus threw a boxing glove at a Harvard supporter. The Harvard fan grabbed a stick and swung at the rolled-up glove. George Hancock, a reporter there, called out "Play ball!" and the game began, with the boxing glove tightened into a ball, a broom handle serving as a bat. This first contest ended with a score of 41–40. By 1889, George Hancock had written down the rules of this American-created game, and the sport evolved from there, with other communities taking up the game, if even with modified rules. For example, in 1895 Lewis Rober, Sr. organized outdoor games with teams as exercise for Minneapolis firefighters. This game was known as kitten ball (after the first team to play it), lemon ball, or diamond ball.
A softball game can last anywhere from 3 to 7 innings, or 1–2 hours depending on the league, rules, and type of softball. 7 innings is the most common. In each inning, each team bats until three batters are “out”. The teams take turns batting.
By 1991, women's fastpitch softball was selected to debut at the1996 Summer Olympics. The 1996 Olympics also marked a key era in the introduction of technology in softball. Keep an eye out for Softball in the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo!
A "run" is scored when a player has touched all four bases in order, proceeding counterclockwise around them. They need not be touched on the same play; a batter may remain safely on a base while play proceeds and attempts to advance happen on a later play. The team with the most runs after seven innings wins the game. For differences between Softball and Baseball, check out the Fun Facts section of our Play With Us page!
For more info, contact: For more information, start with www.teamusa.org/USA-Softball For local information: Missouri Travel Baseball & Softball: https://www.facebook.com/ groups/2085345751688266/
Types of Softball: - Fast Pitch - Slow Pitch - Arena Softball - Co-Ed [ Photo Credit: DarioZg / Shutterstock.com ]
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FEB 2020
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