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Invented in Chicago
The first known game took place in Chicago, IL on Thanksgiving, in 1887. It took place at the Farragut Boat Club after the Yale vs Harvard football game. A Yale student threw a boxing glove wrapped in twine at a Harvard student at which the Harvard student hit the glove with a stick and George Hancock yelled out, "Play Ball!" https://www.kellysultimatesports.com/blog/the-history-of-slow-pitch-softball/ -
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History of Softball
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Moved from indoor to outdoor
Originally it was thought softball would be an indoor sport for baseball players to play in the winter but they decided to move it outdoor. -
First rules published
Although there were set rules created a week after softball was invented, the official rules weren't published until 1889 -
First League
Lewis Rober, Sr. organized the first known softball league as an exercise for Firefighters. https://www.kellysultimatesports.com/blog/the-history-of-slow-pitch-softball/ -
First League outside of U.S.
The first softball league outside the United States was organized in Toronto in 1897. -
Officially renamed to "Softball"
Other names before offically named Softball was, Kitten Ball, Diamond Ball, Mush Ball and Pumpkin Ball. -
USA Softball was founded
USA Softball was founded in 1933 as the Amateur Softball Association (ASA) with a tournament held in Chicago. https://www.kellysultimatesports.com/blog/the-history-of-slow-pitch-softball/ -
Slow Pitch
Slow Pitch Softball is officially recognized by (ASA) and this is significant to me because I play :D http://www.wbsc.org/wbsc-publishes-first-ever-slow-pitch-new-fast-pitch-rulebooks/ -
Current Headquarters in OKC
USA Softball was located in Newark, New Jersey. USA Softball relocated to its new headquarters in Oklahoma City on January 1, 1966 https://www.kellysultimatesports.com/blog/the-history-of-slow-pitch-softball/ -
National Softball Association Founded
Established in 1982 by Hugh Cantrell in Lexington, Kentucky. The National Softball Association is a full service organization that offers a division of play and a level of competition that YOUTH through ADULT can enjoy. https://www.playnsa.com/AboutUs.aspx -
Senior Softball-USA Founded
Senior Softball-USA is dedicated to informing and uniting the Senior Softball Players of America and the World. Senior Softball-USA sanctions tournaments and championships, registers players, writes the rulebook, publishes Senior Softball-USA News, hosts International Softball Tours and promotes Senior Softball throughout the world. More than 1.5 million men and women over 40 play Senior Softball in the United States today. https://www.facebook.com/pg/seniorsoftball/about/?ref=page_internal -
First USA Woman's Olympic Team
Team USA won three consecutive Olympic Gold Medals (1996, 2000, 2004) and a silver medal at the 2008 Olympic Games. https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Softball/Team-USA/History/Women
