What is Chicago softball?

16-inch softball (sometimes called clincher, mushball, cabbageball, puffball, blooperball, smushball and Chicago ball) is a variant of softball, but using a larger ball that gradually becomes softer the more the ball is hit, and played with no gloves or mitts on the fielders.

How big is a Chicago softball?

16-inch softball is an official sport in Chicago Public Schools. Only the boys play 16-inch whereas girls play fast-pitch, according to the Chicago Public Schools website. “We got the (public) high schools to start it as a lettered sport about 20 years ago,” said Al Maag, co-founder of the 16-inch softball Hall of Fame ...

How do the 3 types of softball differ?

Softballs vary in size according to the type of softball game that is being played. There are three sizes, measured by circumference: one for fast-pitch softball, one for slow-pitch softball and one for a style of slow-pitch play that is frequently called Chicago ball because of its popularity in that Illinois city.

Is 16-inch softball a Chicago thing?

While it isn't well known outside of the city, 16-inch softball has deep roots in Chicago. The game originated on Thanksgiving Day 1887 at the Farragut Boat Club. The first game was played between a group of Harvard and Yale alumni.

What is unique about 16-inch softball in Chicago?

Make-shift “softball” was fashioned from a pair of boxing gloves. Through the years, the game moved outdoors – the 16 inch size ball was perfect for the small parks and schoolyards of Chicago. First leagues played in Minneapolis and rules made during winter league.

How far can you hit a 16-inch softball?

Any softball rules not covered or found in this section will be covered or found in Part I of the current edition of the official NSA Rulebook. The official 16 inch diamond base lines will be sixty (60) feet. The pitching distance will be thirty-eight (38) feet. All batters start with 0-0 count ● No Extra foul balls!

Who uses the 16-inch softball?

1. The most notable difference between Chicago softball and standard softball is the size of the ball. The Chicago softball is 16 inches in diameter, compared with the 12-inch standard-size softball.

What is the standard softball size?

The official softball is a smooth-seam ball 12 inches (30.5 cm) in circumference, weighing between 6.25 and 7 ounces (177 and 198 grams). In softball the ball is delivered by an underhand motion, whereas in baseball the pitch is overhand or sidearm.

Why is the softball so big?

So, the main reason why a softball is bigger than a baseball is that its size makes it easier to hit and safer for everyone. In addition, a bigger ball is heavier and travels less which is important considering the dimensions of a softball field.

Why are softball players so thick?

In general, softball players can be thick because of the sport's nature. Many softball players work hard at the gym and eat over their daily maintenance calories to build muscle and strength. Size and height have also been a big perk in sports, so thick people choose softball and succeed in it.

When was the day that softball was developed in Chicago?

21, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The game of softball started on Thanksgiving Day, November 24th in 1887 at the Farragut Boat Club in Chicago (located now on landfill south of McCormick Place) when Yale and Harvard students and alumni assembled to learn the tickertape results of the annual football game between both schools, ...

What size softball is the most popular?

Game play for 16-inch softball is mostly consistent with standard softball game play. In contrast to standard, or 12-inch (30.48 cm) softball, it is played with a ball 16 inches (40.64 cm) in circumference.

Does University of Chicago have a softball team?

Softball - The University of Chicago Athletics Athletics.

In what country did softball originate?

It was invented in 1887 in Chicago, Illinois, United States as an indoor game.

Who invented softball?

Softball began in 1887 when George Hancock, a reporter for the Chicago Board of Trade, invented "indoor baseball". By the spring of 1888, the game had spread outdoors. It was originally called either mushball, kittenball or indoor baseball, but by the 1920s it had acquired the name of softball.

Is it harder to hit a homerun in softball or baseball?

Baseball is played on a much larger field than softball and needs almost double the length of a softball field to hit a homerun. However, baseballs are much lighter and travel much farther once hit due to the high speed of the pitch.

Why is softball a girl sport?

When Title IX, the 1972 law that required equal funding to both male and female sports teams, finally appeared, women were given fair ground on nearly every sport. Baseball was not on that list, though. Instead, the law dictated that the school must provide an equivalent sport, and in that case, it was softball.

What hurts more a softball or baseball?

Not all baseballs are created equal. In fact, out of a range of different types of baseballs, a softball hurts the most to get hit by.

What core softball goes the farthest?

The balls that perform the best are the COR=44 or COR=47 coupled with a high compression value of 400lbs or 450lbs. It's hard to find softballs today that are 525lbs compression or higher as they are found to be too hot for our senior bats.

Is softball harder than baseball?

It's scientifically proven that fastpitch softball is harder than baseball. On average, there is less reacting time in softball batting than in baseball when you consider both pitching speed and distance. Also, a softball field is smaller, basepaths are shorter, and pitching style is harder.

Is a softball yellow or green?

In competitive play, yellow remains the official ball color, while white softballs are reserved for recreational leagues and some slow pitch.

Is bunting allowed in softball?

No Bunting: Bunting is prohibited. S7. No Stealing: Base stealing and leading off are prohibited. The base runner must remain on base until the ball is hit.

How is a softball measured?

Softballs have a diameter of 3.82” (9.7 cm) and circumference of 12” (30.5 cm). The mass of a Softball is between 6.25-7 oz (177-198 g). A Softball is the official ball used to play the sport of Softball and is distinguished by its traditional yellow color.