History of Softball

By: Morgan Clary

Softball started in 1887 and was played in different ways until two sets of rules were written. It started when a crowd of people gathered inside the Farragut Boat Club in Chicago, IL  to await the result of the Harvard vs Yale Football game. When the result came in, a 17-8 Yale victory, one ecstatic Yale fan threw an old boxing glove at a Harvard fan, who responded by swinging at the glove with a broomstick he was holding. a reporter by the name of George Hancock suggested they play a game of “indoor baseball.” He tied together the strings of the pair of boxing gloves to make a ball and used a piece of chalk to draw home plate, a pitcher’s mound, and bases.

I’ve been playing softball since I was 5 years old. I’ve played every position except second base and catcher. My two main positions are first base and pitcher. The center field is one of my favorites. I like softball so much because I’ve always had amazing coaches who help and support my growth as a player. Softball coaches have taught me not just how to play but how to be a good teammate and friend.