Softball evolved from baseball in the USA. The first version of the game was played in Chicago in 1887. Different variations were played under the names of “Diamond Ball”, “Kitten Ball”, “Mush Ball”, “Pumpkin Ball” and “Recreation Ball”. In 1900 in Minnesota, USA, the first softball league was organised and in 1926 the game was officially named “Softball”. In 1933, the Amateur Softball Association (America) was established and a Joint Rules Committee was formed to standardise the rules. Softball flourished in the USA during the 1930`s. During World War II, American servicemen played the game wherever they were stationed, introducing softball to other countries.
Australia`s softball history began in 1939 when Gordon Young, director of Physical Education in NSW, began to promote the game in schools and colleges. In 1942, during WW2, US army sergeant William Duvernet organised softball as a recreation for US nurses stationed in Victoria. Another American, Max Gilley, introduced the game to Queensland in 1946. Australia`s first inter-state championship was played in Brisbane in 1947 and was won by Victoria. The second national championship was held in Melbourne two years later. It was at this championship that the Australian Softball Federation was formed with Queensland, Victoria, South Australia and New South Wales being the founding members. The other States of Australia have since joined. Six Australian Championships are now conducted each year – Women`s, Men`s, Under 19 years Girls and Boys, and Under 16 years Girls and Boys. Softball has been a major sport in the schools program for some time now and it is estimated that more then 250,000 children play the game each year.
There are two forms of softball played around the world – Fast pitch Softball and Slow pitch Softball. Fast pitch, in which the pitcher pitches the ball as fast as he/she wishes, is the game most widely played in Australia, especially at competition level. In Slow pitch, there are rules governing the height and speed of the pitch, and is being promoted in Australia as a recreation sport.
With the success of softball in many countries throughout the world, the International Softball Federation was formed and Australia joined in 1953. The first Women`s World Fast pitch Championship was staged and won by Australia in Melbourne in 1965. Only five countries participated – USA, Japan, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Australia. Twenty one nations competed in 1990 in the seventh World Fast pitch Championship held in Normal, Illinois, USA. The first men`s World Fast pitch Championship was held in 1966 and international competition has developed to the extent that World Fast pitch Championships are now conducted on a four-yearly basis for women, men, Under 19 years girls and Under 19 years boys.
Fast pitch Softball is now played in over one hundred (100) countries around the world. Besides the World Championships, many other world competitions are also played, such as the Pan Am Games, South Pacific Classic, South Pacific Games and European Championships. In 1996, Women`s Fast pitch Softball was a medal sport for the Olympic Games in Atlanta.
Normally, three umpires are allocated to a game: one plate umpire and two base umpires. The plate umpire stands behind the catcher and judges the pitches (whether it is a “strike” or “ball”), determines whether a hit is fair or foul or bunted, calls plays at home plate. The base umpires are initially stationed at 1st and 3rd bases, and change positions during the game depending on where the base runners are stationed. Base umpires call the plays at the bases and assist the plate umpire.