Softball is a bat-and-ball sport closely related to baseball, played with a larger ball and an underarm pitching motion on a smaller field, most commonly contested in a fast-pitch format at the elite level. It was invented in Chicago in 1887, originally as an indoor variant of baseball, before evolving into an outdoor sport with standardized rules by the mid-20th century. Women's fast-pitch softball was part of the Summer Olympic program from 1996 to 2008 and again at the 2020 and 2028 Games, and the sport is governed internationally by the World Baseball Softball Confederation.
Facts
Originating RegionChicago, Illinois, United States 1 International Governing BodyWorld Baseball Softball Confederation 1 Classification
Olympic Programme Status Connections
Derived From
Source Softball - Wikipedia
Featured In
Source Wikipedia, 1996 Summer Olympics
Left the programme after 2008 and reinstated for the 2020 Summer Olympics.
Source Wikipedia: Olympic sports
Played By
Sources
1. Softball - Wikipedia
History, first game
The earliest known softball game was played in Chicago, Illinois, on Thanksgiving Day, 1887.
History, place of first game
The earliest known softball game was played in Chicago, Illinois, on Thanksgiving Day, 1887.
Governance, highest governing body
The highest governing body for the sport is the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC).
entity record, description (olympic-status)
Women's fast-pitch softball was part of the Summer Olympic program from 1996 to 2008 and again at the 2020 and 2028 Games, and the sport is governed internationally by the World Baseball Softball Confederation.
Derived From: Baseball, Early history section
Envisioned as a way for baseball players to maintain their skills during the winter
View the SourceWikipedia: Olympic sports
Featured In: Olympic Games, Changes between 2000 to 2030Quote, Featured In: Olympic Games, Changes between 2000 to 2030
Baseball and softball, before their reinstatement for the 2020 Olympics, were last included in 2008
Wikipedia, 1996 Summer Olympics
Featured In: 1996 Summer Olympics, OverviewQuote, Featured In: 1996 Summer Olympics, Overview
10,318 athletes from 197 National Olympic Committees competed in 26 sports, including the Olympic debuts of beach volleyball, mountain biking and softball
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