2. HISTORY
• Softball began in 1887 when George Hancock, a reporter for the Chicago Board
of Trade, invented "indoor baseball". By the spring of 1888, the game had spread
outdoors. It was originally called either mushball, kittenball or indoor baseball, but
by the 1920s it had acquired the name of softball. The sport became organised in
the United States in 1933 with the formation of the Amateur Softball Association
of America (ASA). The sport was originally played by men and did not become
popular with women until the formation of the ASA.
3. • Softball has a variation of baseball, the game started with different elements from other sports
of which were boxing and boating. A boating club and a boxing glove were the key parts when
playing a game of Softball. Throughout time softball was once known as Indoor Baseball,
kitten ball, mush ball and pumpkin ball. The game then adopted the name Softball by the
1930s. Softball then grew a reputation across the United States and as a result of its growth in
popularity it became a well-recognised sport across the world.
• Softball has a variation of baseball, the game started with different elements from other sports
of which were boxing and boating. A boating club and a boxing glove were the key parts when
playing a game of Softball. Throughout time softball was once known as Indoor Baseball,
kitten ball, mush ball and pumpkin ball. The game then adopted the name Softball by the
1930s. Softball then grew a reputation across the United States and as a result of its growth in
popularity it became a well-recognised sport across the world.
•
4. • Softball consists of several disciplines: fast pitch, slow pitch, and modified fast pitch. Fast
pitch allows two main underhand pitching deliveries; one that involves an entire revolution
and the other where the pitchers arm comes back and then forward. Slow pitch requires the
pitcher to lob the ball underhanded with an arc that reaches a minimum height of 1.83
metres and a maximum height of 3.66 metres. A modified fast pitch allows underhand
deliveries but the arm must not make a complete revolution around the shoulder socket.
Internationally, fast pitch is the dominant game. In the United States, slow pitch is played by
millions of people in recreational leagues. Adult softball bats are used in all disciplines of
the game.
• World championships in fast pitch softball were first held in 1965 for women and 1966 for
men. Slow-pitch world championships began in 1987, and the competition resumed in
Florida (USA) in June of 2002. The first world competition for junior men and women was
held in 1981 and a World Cup for age 16-under girls began in 2001. The ISF now counts
122 national federations as members.
5. HISTORY OF SOFTBALL IN NEW ZEALAND
• The history of softball in New Zealand dates back to 1935 when the game was first
played as a recreation by visiting American sailors.
• The man really responsible for introducing the game into New Zealand was Mr W. H.
Wilson, of the Ford Motor Company, who had played the game in the United States
before coming here.
• The first organised competitions took place in the summer of 1937/38, the Wellington
Softball (Baseball) Association was formed in November 1937, and with the game
spreading rapidly up and down the country the N.Z. (Baseball) Softball Council was
formed at a meeting at Kelvin Gymnasium, Wellington, on January 11, 1938.
6. FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT
• Bat
The batsmen use bat to hit the ball and score runs for
team. The bat is made up of wood, aluminium or from
metals. The shape of the bat is like a cylinder and its
diameter is 6 inches. The length of the bat varies but it
cannot be greater than 86 cm. The diameter of the barrel
is 2¼ inches. Normally, players prefer smaller barrel bat
because they can swing the bat easily. Bats having
smaller barrel also reduces weight. The weight of the bat
is 1.2 kilograms.
7. BALL
a ball is the centre of the game. But despite its name, the ball which is used is not
soft. Softball is derived from the famous American sport baseball which is mainly
played by men. But softball is meant for women. As this sport is mainly dominated
by women, the name of the game is softball.
8. • Gloves
In softball matches, all defensive players wear fielding gloves. But there are
normally different size of gloves available for players at different positions on the
field.
9. • Uniform
To increase bond among a players in a team, uniforms are provided. Each team wears
different uniforms. Uniforms include helmets, head bands, visors, caps, shoes, shocks, shirt
and pant, tight sliding undershorts etc. For female players, uniforms like headbands and caps
are optional. These are mandatory for male players but those who wear a helmet are not
required to wear headbands or caps.
10. • Batting Helmet
-If you're going to be playing in a game, or stepping in to try to hit live pitching, you'll
need a helmet. Helmets are made of strong plastic material and have padding on the inside
for safety and comfort.
11. RULES AND REGULATIONS
• Running The Bases-runners must step on each base as they advance from one to another.
• 3 Outs Per Team per Inning-Each team is allowed three outs while at
bat each inning.
• 3 Strikes and you’re out-Each at- bat, a better is allowed three
strikes before they are called out.
• 4 Balls is a walk-if the pitcher throws four balls before getting three
strikes or having the better hit the softball into play, the batter is
awarded first base.
• 7 Innings in a game- There are seven full innings played in a softball
game, and whichever team has the most runs at the end of the
seven innings is deemed the winner.
12. • 9 Playes per team- Each team is allowed nine active players per game.
• Pitchers must throw underhand- Unlike in baseball, pitchers in softball must
throw the ball in an underhand motion, with their hand below their hip.
• Foul balls are softballs hit out of play- Foul balls are any softballs hit out of the
regulation field of play.
• Runners must stay within the base path- while advancing around all four bases,
runners must stay within the designated base path, or they will be called
out.
• Getting hit by a pitch means a free base- When a better is hit by a ball thrown
by the pitcher outside of the strike zone, they are awarded first base.
• Score-When a base runner rounds all of the bases by stepping on each
one in order from 1st, 2nd, 3rd , and crosses home plate.
13. BASIC SKILLS
• Hand-Eye Coordination-Just as in baseball, hand-eye coordination is of
the utmost importance in softball.
• Endurance- In softball, endurance is extremely important for both
performance and preventing injuries.
• Strength- strength can be extremely useful in softball, especially for power
hitters.
14. SOFTBALL FIELDING SKILLS
• Throwing- in softball skilled throwing is key for every position defense.
• Catching- just like throwing catching is another crucial defensive skill, no matter
what position you play on the field.
• Pitching- pitching is the most important skill that is not one of the five tools.
15. SOFTBALL BATTING SKILLS
• Hitting for Contact- This skill is all about your ability to make contact with the
ball while hitting.
• Hitting for Power- Hitting for power is all about hitting the ball as far as possible.
• Running- The last of the five tools is also the most simple running.
• Bunting- Is an important skill specifically for small ball softball.
• Slap Hitting- Is a batting technique specific to softball where you hit the ball
directly at the ground, trying to create a big bounce so that you can outrun the
ground ball.
