How Has Softball Changed Over the Years?
Softball was created in 1887 in Chicago, and since then, everything from the gear to its all-man teams has changed. Softball is now an organized sport played by men and women all over the world.
When softball first hit the scene, it was only played by men. It was a variation on baseball and the rules of the game were modified so the sport could be played indoors. The ball used in the game was larger and the bat was smaller. At the time of its invention, softball was simply called “indoor baseball.”
In 1889, softball found its way outside. The game was limited to seven innings which were usually completed in an hour. Women began playing the sport in 1895 when the first women’s team was formed and the Amateur Softball Association was founded in 1933. Eventually, the game spread from the United States to Canada.
During World War II, American soldiers took their love of the game overseas, where people in other countries recognized its appeal. The sport continued gaining popularity and in 1996, it became an official Olympic sport.
Today, the sport is loved by millions of people worldwide. It is played by men, women and children, and in the United States alone, there are around 245,000 softball teams.
