Chapter 1 CCCCCOOOOOVVVVVEEEEERRRRRIIIIINNNNNGGGGG YYYYYOOOOOUUUUURRRRR BBBBBAAAAASSSSSEEEEESSSSS The story of softball goes all the way back to a hot gymnasium in 1887 A group of college football fans were anxiously waiting to hear the results of a game between Yale and Harvard When Yale won the crowd erupted in cheers A Yale fan picked up a stray boxing glove and threw it at a Harvard fan Instead of dodging the glove the Harvard fan tried to hit it with a long stick Before long the football score was forgotten and the first softball game had begun The Basics Softball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two 9 player teams Each game is divided into innings Most games are seven innings long Sometimes at the end of
seven innings both teams will have a tie To break a tie games go into extra innings They continue for one two or even three additional innings until one team has a higher score Softball is played on a diamond-shaped field The infield is covered in dirt At the center of the infield is the pitcher’s mound The outfield is the grass-covered area behind the infield
Take the Field There are nine different fielding positions in softball The left fielder center fielder and right fielder are all outfield positions These players are excellent runners and have strong throwing arms They are responsible for catching or fielding any balls that are hit past the infield
Infield positions include first baseman second baseman shortstop and third baseman These players are quick on their feet and throw fast with great precision They must field any balls hit into the infield Infielders are also responsible for tagging base runners and covering their bases
