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Softball

    Softball Editor's Picks

    • How to Hit a Softball

      The key to hitting a softball is to focus on the proper stance, including how you hold the bat. more »

    • About Adult Softball

      Softball is a versatile sport that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. Softball teams can be made up of children, adults, teens or seniors. There is no age limit to those who play the sport, as long as they are able to hit the ball and run.
      Softball teams are about as versatile as their players. There are semi-pro softball leagues,... more »

    • How to Hit a Softball Further

      Distance hitting in softball revolves around bat speed. The harder your swing the bat, the harder it connects with the ball. Velocity is the key to hitting the softball further. Getting your whole body into the swing will help you smack the ball a great distance more »

    • How to Bat a Softball

      Being a good hitter in softball, with its larger ball and shorter base paths, can make you a ballpark hero. Studying a few basics of the swing and practicing them until they become second nature will help you along the way. more »

    • How to Stretch for Softball

      Warming up before a softball game can prevent injuries and soreness. It’s important to note that you must warm up completely, stretching every muscle group that will be used during the game. Remember that good posture gives you the maximum benefit from any stretch. Your shoulders should be aligned, your back straight, and your... more »

    Softball Quick Guides

    • Softball

      Softball is a game that is played by young and old alike and features a larger version of a...

    • Baseball Batting Guide

      Hitting a baseball is arguably the most difficult thing to do in sports. This...

    • Sports Clothing and Gear

      Having the right tools is key to successfully playing any sport. Each sport though has its...

    Softball Articles

    • How to Get Better in Softball

      Softball is a game enjoyed by all. Little girls join softball leagues when they are about eight years old. Grown men and women join social... more »

    • How to Throw a Softball Far

      Softball is one of the greatest games around. It can be enjoyed in the back yard, as a team sport at the local school or in a community league, or... more »

    • About Softball Bats

      Softball players strive for consistent hitting. A good softball bat can help achieve that goal. A worn out bat will limit your swing and ability... more »

    • About Youth Softball

      Softball has become one of the most popular sports in the United States. It is played by athletes with tremendous skills and couch potatoes who... more »

    • How to Become a Softball Umpire

      Becoming a softball umpire is not as easy as it seems--study, train, get an umpire's uniform and find a game. But there is actually more to it... more »

    Wikipedia

    Softball

    Softball is a team sport commonly played in the United States and other countries. It is a direct descendant of baseball. Some key differences between softball and baseball are that softballs are larger than baseballs, and pitches are thrown underhand rather than overhand. Softball was invented by George Hancock in Chicago, Illinois. The first softball game was played using a rolled up boxing glove as a ball and a broomstick as a bat.. SoftballPerformance.com. Retrieved on: January 11, 2009.

    History
    First photo of a Softball team, Chicago, 1897


    The first version of softball was invented in Chicago, Illinois on Thanksgiving Day, 1887 by George Hancock and Bakir Dzananovic as a winter version of baseball. It was intended to be a way for baseball players to keep in practice during the winter. At the time, the sport was called "Indoor Baseball"."Sports Encyclopedia"/>

    Yale and Harvard alumni had gathered at the Farragut Boat Club in Chicago to hear the score of the annual football game. When the score was announced and bets were paid, a Yale alumnus threw a boxing glove at a Harvard supporter. The other person grabbed a stick and swung at it. Hancock called "Play ball!" and the game began. Hancock took a boxing glove and tied it into a ball. A broom handle was used as a bat."ISF History">; The first softball game ended with a score of 44-40.CHM>Chicago History Museum, "Wait Til Next Year" display The ball, being soft, was fielded barehanded rather than with gloves like those which had been introduced to baseball in 1882. Hancock developed a ball and an undersized bat in the next week. The Farragut Club soon set rules for the game, which spread quickly to outsiders. The game, under the name of "Indoor-Outdoor", was moved outside next year, and the first rules were published in 1889."Sports Encyclopedia"/>

    In 1895 Lewis Rober, Sr. of Minneapolis organized outdoor games as exercise for firefighters; this game was known as kitten ball read more at » http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Softball

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