By: Lucas Tecun

Originating in Chicago on Thanksgiving Day, 1887 a group of about twenty young men had gathered in the gymnasium of the Farragut Boat Club in order to hear the outcome of the Harvard-Yale football game. After Yale's victory was announced and bets were paid off, a man picked up a boxing glove and threw it at someone, who hit it with a pole. George Hancock, usually considered the inventor of softball, shouted, "Let's play ball!". He tied the boxing glove so that it resembled a ball, chalked out a diamond on the floor (smaller dimensions than those of a baseball field in order to fit the gym) and broke off a broom handle to serve as a bat. What came about was an odd, smaller version of baseball. That game is now, 111 years old.

Softball games come in different sizes.

Starting at sandlot style, which is a simple playful game.

Than moves to competitive softball, involving referees, coaches and team practices.

Simple overview of softball:

The simple objective of softball is to hit a ball without the ball being caught (causing the hitter to become out), without being tagged (out), and without being forced out on a base.

To score a hitter has to round all three bases including home without getting out. which adds one point to a teams score.

A hitter can strike out by swinging three times and not hitting the ball. Fouls are balls hit, but not hit inside field boundaries. A homerun is a ball hit so hard that it simply goes over the back fence inside the foul lines and allows the hitter along with teammates on base to walk freely home while scoring.

Softball in my life:

I, Lucas Tecun, play many many sports for recreation:

Football

Paintball

Although out of all the sports I play for fun, I most enjoy softball. It can be exciting at times, and involves everyone and anyone who wants to play. Softball is a great way to just have a bunch of friends come together and have a good time!