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.

Short background

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.

Players

Softball is played by two teams of 9 players each who try to score more runs than their opponent
by rounding the bases and crossing home plate as many times as possible. The batting team stays
up to bat until the fielding team puts out 3 batters.

Skills and position of players in the court

A game of softball involves team members taking turns as batters to play against the other team
of fielders, with the latter side made up of a pitcher, a catcher, three basemen, a shortstop, and
three outfielders.

Batter

A team sends one batter out to the field at a time. The batter competes against the entire
opposing team, which will strategise in a bid to prevent the batter from getting to the bases
before the ball does. The game begins with the batter hitting the ball, thrown by the pitcher, with
a bat. He or she will then drop the bat and run, attempting to make it to first base before the ball,
depending on where the ball lands.

Pitcher

The pitcher throws, or pitches, the ball from the pitcher’s mound. He or she must always stand
with both feet on the pitcher’s rubber - a rectangular area on the mound - when making the pitch.
The rubber and the mound are all on level ground. However, once the ball has been hit, the
pitcher must ensure that neither foot is on the rubber. The pitcher usually pitches from under the
arm and the ball should pass through a strike zone. The location of the strike zone, an imaginary
area from the chest to just below the knee, depends on the pitcher’s position and stature. Height
is an advantage for pitchers, as well as upper body agility and strength.

Catcher

Positioned in a crouch behind the home plate, the catcher plays a crucial role in helping to gain
points. Helping to throw balls ahead of the batter before he or she can reach the bases, the
catcher also catches balls fielded from third base. A catcher must also call pitches and
communicate the number of outs, strikes, and whatever is going on at the home base to the rest
of the players.

First baseman

The first baseman of each team will stand at the first base, to the right of the pitcher. He or she
will catch throws at first base in order to prevent the other team from scoring.

Second baseman

You will find the second baseman at the second base, which is positioned opposite the home
base across the field. Also known as the second bagger sometimes, he or she does not usually
stand at the exact right angle that marks the second base, but more towards the first base instead.
The second baseman may catch balls at second base, as well as help the first baseman, or even
throw balls to the pitcher to help eliminate the opponent, depending on where the ball ends up.
Second base players are commonly right-handed.

Shortstop

The shortstop stands between the second and third bases, and is responsible for balls that end up
in that area. In fact, most balls actually do end up there. The shortstop has many responsibilities,
including catching and fielding, and are very versatile and agile players. This is perhaps the most
difficult position on the field.

Third baseman

The remaining base is reserved for the third baseman. This area is the corner diagonally opposite
the first base. The third baseman has to catch the hits that land around his or her area, in addition
to their most important responsibility - to throw the ball, if they get it, to the catcher before the
opponent reaches the home plate.

Outfielders

There are three outfielders, and their positions are called right fielder, centre fielder, and left
fielder. The outfielders are positioned outside the area marked by the four bases (infield square),
with the right one standing closest to first base. Their job is to catch and throw balls that fly out
of the infield, backing up their teammates at the bases. Because of their distance from the rest of
the game, outfielders are usually strong throwers.

Equipment with its measurements

A number of equipment is required for playing softball. A helmet, chest protector, and shin
guards are the main equipment required for safety and to play softball, we require a ball, a bat,
gloves, and uniforms.
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.

Ball
As the name of the sport is softball, 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.

Gloves
In American Softball Association, the size of the gloves cannot exceed 36 centimetres. 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.

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.

Catcher’s Mask:

Fast and slow pitch catcher’s must wear face masks. The masks come in different weights
depending upon the thickness of the metal. One very important part of the face mask is the throat
protector. It can be either a large piece of plastic connected to the mask by two strips of leather, or
a metal extension at the bottom of the mask. The throat protector is as important to the catcher’s
safety as the mask itself, so make sure your catcher’s mask includes one.
Make sure your catcher’s face mask fits properly. Adjustable straps on the back of the mask allows
the mask to be adjusted for a proper fit. Also, if your catcher is using the adjustable throat
protector, make sure that it fits properly (it should completely cover the throat). It should dangle
just enough to be flexible, but it should not be too loose or too low.
Catcher’s Helmet:

Junior Olympic catchers must wear an approved batter’s helmet with ear flaps, or the catcher’s
helmet and mask.