The Invention and History of Softball

Softball has grown to be one of the most popular sports in the United States. Since its inception, the game has taken on many names and been played in a number of ways. Today, the game is played by both men and women. The appeal of the game lies in its constant activity and shorter game play. The sport's popularity has grown to an international level with world championships held every few years.

Where Did Softball Begin?

Softball's origin dates back to Thanksgiving in 1887. In the Chicago, Illinois, Farragut Boat Club, Yale alumni, who had just learned of their Alma Mater's victory over rival Harvard, took a rolled up boxing glove and playfully threw it at a nearby Harvard supporter. In response, the Harvard alumnus took a broom handle and batted away the glove. George Hancock, a reporter present for this event, is credited with the formal invention of the game by creating an over-sized ball and an undersized bat and famously shouting, "Play Ball!" as a result of the initial pitch. Seeing that there could be something to this game, the Farragut Boat Club devised its own set of rules and began to develop the game even further. Initially, the game was called "indoor baseball" for its perceived method of maintaining baseball players' skills during the winter months. The game quickly moved outdoors and had its first set of rules published in 1889.

How Did the Game Develop?

Lewis Rober, Sr., a Minneapolis firefighter, is credited with developing the sport even further. He began having other firefighters play the game as a way to keep active while waiting for calls to come in. He created a field next to the fire station that was significantly smaller than a baseball field, brought in softer balls, and shortened the game to seven innings. This was to keep the game more offensive-oriented and to allow the players to finish the game in an hour or so. The game spread throughout the Midwestern United States, and even found its way outside the country to Toronto. In 1931, two traveling teams, the Kids and the Kubs, were comprised of men of at least 75 years of age who played the games in their suits, and they took the game across the country. The course of softball history reached a turning point in 1933 when Michael Pauley and Leo Fischer, a salesman and a reporter, created a softball tournament for the Chicago World's Fair. The game was so varied and so popular that in 1934, the Joint Rules Committee on Softball was formed and standardized the sport across the board.

What Different Types of Softball Games Are There?

There are two distinct types of games. The first is slow-pitch softball. In this game type, a ball that is usually larger than the standard 12-inch softball is thrown slowly with an arch from the mound to home plate. Due to the nature of the pitching, bunting and stealing are not allowed. The second game type is fast-pitch softball. Players are allowed to bunt and steal, and the game is more similar to a baseball game.

How Does Softball Differ from Baseball?

Softball is played similar to baseball with a few exceptions. Softball games only last seven innings as opposed to the traditional nine innings of baseball. The ball is thrown underhand in a softball contest instead of being thrown overhand as in baseball. The dimensions of a softball field are significantly smaller than a baseball diamond. The standard distance between bases on a Major League Baseball field are 90 feet apart, with the pitcher's mound being 60 feet and 6 inches away from home plate. Fast-pitch bases are 60 feet apart with a 43 foot distance from home to the pitcher's mound. Slow-pitch base paths are 70 feet in length with a distance of 50 feet from home plate to the mound. The ball is roughly 12 inches in circumference with a weight of 6 to 7 ounces, whereas a baseball is approximately 9 inches in circumference and 5 ounces in weight. Other than these differences, the players and positions are the same, as are many of the rules.

How Popular is Softball?

In 1991, softball was voted to debut in the 1996 Summer Olympics. It remained in the Summer Olympics until the International Olympic Committee voted to drop both softball and baseball from the 2012 Summer Olympics. Regardless, softball has gained international acclaim. Since 1951, the International Softball Federation, which today has 113 member nations, has staged world championships and has seen active participation in these events over the years. However, softball still remains most popular in the United States. With more than 40 million Americans participating in at least one game yearly, it has become one of the most popular games, both competitively and in a recreational setting.

Softball has had as storied a history as any major sport, both professional and amateur. Over the years, many new governing bodies have emerged to progress the game further and expose it to more people, young and old. As an offensive-minded game, there is no shortage of activity. The pace is quicker and more enjoyable for most who play the game. With a variety of leagues on the recreational and competitive level since the invention of the game, softball will likely remain a mainstay in the athletic culture of the United States.