All About Softball
By Siena Gambino
History Softball started in 1887 at the end of a Football game in Chicago,Illinois. When Yale won and a Yale fan threw a mushed up boxing glove at a Harvard fan and the fan hit the ''ball'' with a broken broom handle, that is how Softball was born.
Softball was not an all girl sport. One of the men was Eddie Feigener. Eddies signature move was striking batters out blindfolded. Some of the girl players were Bretha Ragan Tickey ,Lana Turner and Joan Joyce.
Rules
1. 3 strikes and you are out
8. to steal a base read the rules below 1. Watch the third base coach to give you a stealing signal
3. 4 balls and you get to walk
2. If third base coach gives you the signal then right as the pitcher releases the ball take three large steps. If the catcher is aiming at you go back to the base you started at. If she/he is not then run to the next base and slide
4. attempt to get on base by hitting the ball into fair play
3. To slide tuck your right/left leg under your other leg and then push yourself into a moving forward fall
2. a batter becomes a runner when they get on a base or catcher drops ball on last strike
5. a runner can run to second base in the same inning if any of the positions over throw the ball to the first baseman 6. there are 9 innings in a full softball game. Innings are divided into top and bottom halfs 7. extra innings occur when there is a tie and then you keep playing until one team wins
4. Do not run before the pitcher releases or you will be out
Materials
Some essentials you need to play are a 12 inch softball,softball glove,softball bat,sliding shorts,catching gear which include a throat protector,face guarding catching helmet,body protectors,shin guards that go above knees.
Jennie Finch There are a lot of softball players in the world. One of the most famous players is Jennie Finch. Jennie started playing softball at age 5 and started pitching at age 8. Jennie started playing competitively in college, she went to the University of Arizona. She won three time All American pitcher and first baseman. Her college jersey number was 27. Jennie retired college softball when she graduated and began playing for U.S.A Women's N.L. in 2001.
She was named to the 2004 Olympic softball team. Jennie went 15-0 in one month leading to the Athens 2004 Olympic games. Jennie had a 2-0 win-loss record in 2004, striking out 13 batters in 8 innings and in that same game she gave up 1 hit,1 ball and 0 runs. Jennies amazing pitching lead the U.S. to the gold medal. Jennie retired in the summer of 2010.
In 2005 she married Houston Astros pitcher Casey Daigle. Now Jennie and Casey have 3 kids Ace,Diesl and Paisley.
Evolution Softball has changed over the years by instead of using a mushed up boxing glove we use a standard ball. It has also changed over the years because it has became more organized.
Sources athleticscholarships.net/history-of-softball.htm archives.sbu.edu/athletics/Softball/History%20Softball.htm momsteam.com/sports/softball-fast-pitch/equipment/basic-softball-equipment -and-gear
wikihow.com/Steal-a-base(Softball)#/Image:Steal-a-base-(Softball) teamusa.org/usa-softball/athletes/jenniefinch