History of Softball : Fastpitch Softball

Fastpitch Softball is a trendy game that is more of a women's game but with significant male participation. If you are a softball enthusiast, this article will definitely provide good reading to further your understanding of the game. Take a look at the interesting history of softball as well as the critical softball rule listings.

History of Softball

The history of softball can be traced to a cold winter day in November 1887. A bunch of Yale and Harvard alumni anxiously awaited the results of the Harvard-Yale football game. The result of the game was a win for Yale against Harvard. One Yale supporter, overcome with enthusiasm, picked up an old boxing glove and threw it at a nearby Harvard alumni who promptly tried to hit it back with a stick. The idea that struck George Hancock then is what sets the real history of softball. He tied together the laces of the boxing glove for a ball. Using a piece of chalk, Hancock marked off a home plate, bases and a pitcher's box inside the Farragut Boat Club gym. The two groups were divided into teams and the first softball match was played. The two teams hit a final score of 41-40. Little did Hancock and his friends realize that they had sparked off a game that would soon become very popular. Hancock's invention eventually caught on in Chicago with the Farragut team challenging other gyms to games. In spring, Hancock took his game outdoors and played it on fields. It was called indoor-outdoor and Hancock emerged as the recognized authority in the 19th century. Today, nearly 40 million play softball each summer.

Fastpitch Softball: Camps, Teams

Fastpitch softball is a game closely resembling baseball, which is played on a similar diamond and with a ball that is larger and softer. The game is played between two teams, with a bat and ball, the two teams taking turns at batting and trying to score runs. The softball rule outlays are similar to that of baseball. Associations such as the ASA (Amateur Softball Association) and NSA (National Softball Association) encourage participation and bring about a form of standardization in softball rule and game.

There are two types of fastpitch softball teams, Contract Team and Recreation Team. A Contract fastpitch softball team is one that plays at strong competitive levels. In addition to league play, they participate in many tournaments. A Recreation fastpitch softball team on the other hand, is one in which the players are in for the exercise and fun. The Junior Olympic softball workshop be held in February at Oklahoma City is a much awaited event. The effort of the Olympic softball workshop is to thoroughly study the softball rule listings and strategies and create greater awareness of the game It is better to participate in fastpitch softball camps before getting into the main game.

ASA softball and NSA softball are the two national governing bodies for USA softball. These are the governing bodies set up to ensure a degree of standardization in the game of softball. The ASA softball is volunteer driven and not-for-profit organization. ASA softball is based in Oklahoma and was founded in 1933. The popularity of ASA softball grew such that the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) named the ASA the National Governing Body of Softball. Annually, the ASA conducts over 90 National Championships. Qualifying for the ASA begins at the local level with the league championships, state championships and eventually national qualifiers. Nearly 30,000 players qualify to compete in an ASA National Championship throughout the year. Some prominent players from NSA softball and ASA softball are listed below.

NSA Softball

1992 Bruce Meade, Bradenton, FL
1998 Dirk Androff, Naples, FL
1998 Mike Macenko, Brooke Park, OH
1998 Rick Weiterman, West Bend, WI
2001 Todd Joerling, New Melle, MO
2002 Jay Huffstickler, Louisville, KY

ASA Softball

2000 Bill Gatti, Louisville, KY
2000 Dennis Graser, Waukesha, WI
2001 Rick Scherr, Sherrills Ford, NC
2001 Don Clatterbough, Mechanicsville, VA
2002 Ronnie Ford, Jacksonville, FL

NSA - ASA Softball Rule

NSA or ASA, Basic Softball rules must be reminded while playing the game. Hitting, fielding, catching and pitching are the essential skills in fastpitch softball. The fastpitch softball techniques employed in a game greatly depend on the individual coaches. The batting techniques, throwing, blocking and catching strategies all differ from one team to another. Peruse the following softball rule list to gain a fair understanding of the game.

Pitching

· Pitching is the most dominating position on the field.
· Always aim at pitching intelligently not at pitching hard.
· Maintain concentration on mechanics and trust the catcher and the coaches for strategy.
· Backup the teammate's throws to 2nd and 3rd; it convinces your fielders that you are behind them as they are behind you.

Catching

· Catching is 85% mental and 15% physical activity. It is important to think about the game before actually playing it.
· Minimize passed balls or wild pitches by not making wild throws.
· Don't be afraid to pick runners off in the right situations.
· Give good targets by moving your body to adjust them. Do not move just your glove alone.

Hitting

· Proper batting stance, weight position and swing of the bat are very essential.
· Do not bat off balance.
· Bat selection athletes should select a bat, which is the heaviest weight he/she can swing without losing bat speed or mechanics of the swing.
· Concentrate on obtaining the right batting stance in the batter's box.

Fielding

· Catch EVERY ball thrown at you.
· Chase the overthrows and run them back into the infield.
· Any foul ball in front of you is an automatic strike and you should take every risk possible to catch the ball.

Softball Sale

Softball equipments are widely available for sale. Softball sale of bags, balls, bats and other associated products can be conducted through the Internet game sites, which offer quality products. There is also softball sale of batting helmets, books, catcher's equipment, field equipments, footwear, training and umpire equipment, apparel and uniforms. Softball sale of novelty, videos and DVD's is also common over the Internet.

Play FOCUSED and play TOUGH, but still have fun with fastpitch softball

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