Softball

Softball
Softball developed as a younger version of baseball. toc

History
The first softball game took place between a group of 20 men or less in 1887. After a football game, one Harvard alum threw a boxing glove at a man from Yale and he deflected it with a broom handle. George Hancock bound the boxing glove with his laces to make a soft ball and the broom handle was used as a bat. He chalked out foul lines and the first softball game began. Final score 41-40.

**Rules:**
Many rules that go along with the game of softball, including variations depending on leagues and the level of the players. Some of the most common rules include guidelines for pitchers, batters, fielders and runners. Pitchers must throw the ball underhand when pitching. Batters will be called "out" if they receive three strikes, a fly ball is caught or if they do not beat the ball to the base. Runners must touch each base before advancing to the next. They will also be "out" if they are tagged with the ball by a field player. Fielders must retrieve the ball and throw it to the appropriate base to get the runner "out."

Player Postion:
Each game is played on a drawn diamond shape with a base at each corner. The pitcher throws the ball from a mound and the batter attempts to strike the ball from a batter's box. Nine defensive players take positions on the field and attempt to catch a struck ball or return it to one of the various bases before the batter reaches said base. There is a Left Field, Left Center,Right Center, Right Field, Third Base, Short stop, Second Base, First Base, Pitcher, and Catcher.

origin:
Softball originated in Chicago on Thanksgiving Day, 1887. While Chicago was definitely softball's birthplace, the game saw some modification in Minneapolis. The year was 1895 when Lewis Rober, Sr., (a fire department officer) needed an activity to keep his men occupied and in shape during their free time. He created his game to fit the confines of a vacant lot next to the firehouse and the result was instantly appealing. Surprisingly, Rober was probably not familiar with Hancock's version of the sport because it was still concentrated in Chicago at that time.Softball developed as a younger version of baseball. Softball was started by elements of other sports of which were boating, boxing and football. A boating club, a boxing glove and a football game were key parts in the very first game of softball.

==Sites Used:

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 * "History of Softball." //Paraclete High School Spirits - Home//. N.p., n.d. Web. 5 Apr. 2011. <http://www.paracletehs.org/technology[[image:http://www.imageenvision.com/450/22368-clip-art-graphic-of-a-baseball-cartoon-character-waving-from-inside-a-computer-screen-by-toons4biz.jpg width="252" height="260" caption="#22368 Clip art Graphic of a Baseball Cartoon Character Waving From Inside a Computer Screen by toons4biz"]]
 * Softball│Softball Drills│ Softball Tips │ Softball Hitting │ Softball Pitching │ Coaching Softball." //Softball│Softball Drills│ Softball Tips │ Softball Hitting │ Softball Pitching │ Coaching Softball//. N.p., n.d. Web. 5 Apr. 2011. <http://www.softballperformance.