1.  Started in Chicago in the late 19 th century  Equipment consisted of an old boxing glove made in a ball with shoe strings wrap around it  1889 George Hancock published the first softball rule book  1933 Amateur softball association started  Two types of softball games: slow pitch and fast pitch.

2.  Softball is patterned after baseball  Ball must be pitched underhanded  7 inning games  Purpose of the game is for the batting team to get on base and then score. And for the fielding team to get the batter out so they do not get on the base.

3.  No Bunting  No stealing bases  Runner may leave the base when the ball crosses the plate  10 player on the field at one time to play defense.  Offensive player gets only 3 swings when up to bat