History of Softball/ History of Volleyball/ History of Women's Basketball

Softball started in 1887 as an indoor game known as various names such as indoor baseball, mush ball, kitten ball, and ladies ball. The name softball was given to the game in 1926. Many people think the game came from baseball, but it actually came from a game of football. Some of you may be wondering how did softball come from the game of football? Softball has nothing to do with football, but I am going to tell you how it all started.

It was Thanksgiving Day of 1887 at the Yale vs Harvard football game. When Yale was announced the winner, a former student from Yale playfully threw a boxing glove at a Harvard supporter. The Harvard fan swung at the glove with a stick, and the crowd looked at them with interest. At the time George Hancock was was the reporter from the Chicago Board of Trade, and he jokingly called out, “Play Ball.” In 1926 Walter Hakanson put together the term “softball” at the National Recreation Congress meeting, and by 1930 the term softball was being used around the nation.

The original ball was 16 inches in circumference. Professional softball games today are played using a 10-12 inch ball in circumference. Games using the 16 inch ball is often referred to as “cabbage ball”, and they are not allowed to use fielding gloves. Women’s fastpitch softball was added to the roster of the 1996 Summer Olympics. Softball was later dropped in the 2012 Summer Olympics. It is still one of the most popular sports in the United States and 113 countries have officially joined the International Softball Federation since 1952. Many people have their opinions on which is harder between softball and baseball.

Men are always complaining that softball is way easier than baseball but in all honesty they are two different games. Softball is about speed. It may sometime seem the pitcher is standing right on top of you when she is pitching the ball. It is proven that softball players have less time to react to the ball when they are up to bat. It is easier for softball players to steal bases because the bases are closer together.

The catcher has to get out of her stance right away and whip the ball to the base as fast as she can. There are no lead offs before the pitch is released. Softball fields are much smaller than baseball fields, so the fielders have an easier time fielding the ball which means the runners need to get around the bases quickly. Everybody will have their opinions on which is harder, but it all comes down to how it all started and how much the history of softball has changed ever since the beginning.

History of Volleyball

Volleyball started in 1895 by William G. Morgan four years after basketball was invented. A graduate first designed the game to be a combination of basketball, baseball, tennis, and handball. When volleyball first got started, the net was only 6’6” high, but the average American was shorter in the 19th century. In 1916, it became clear that there needed to be standard rules after watching Phillipines spike the ball.

The Philippines were the ones who demonstrated all the techniques you need to play volleyball, and that is how the rules were formed. You used to only be able to go to 15 points, but that rule was later changed to going to 21 points. In 1920 the rule of having three hits per side was originated. There are six players on the court at a time. There are three hits per side, which was normally a pass (bump), set, and a hit (attack or spike). A pass is an underhand motion with both of your arms together to try to get it to your designated setter. In a game there are typically one to two setters. A set is an overhand pass while using both of your hands to try to get it to your other three hitters. Your hitters are the ones who hit the ball and try to get a downward kill over the net to end the rally.

A while after volleyball was started, beach volleyball became a huge hit for both men and women. Beach volleyball is typically only played with two people. Volleyball is becoming a huge sport that many people are starting to take interest in.

History of Women’s Basketball

Women’s basketball was first invented in 1891 only a year after men’s basketball was invented. When it first originated, women had to wear corsets and floor length skirts. The only skin they were allowed to show was their fingers, neck, and head. Since then, the game has changed drastically.  In 1918, the rules were changed from having 11 officials, coaches only allowed at halftime, and a basket with an open bottom instead of a closed bottom opened by a chain.

Now, basketball typically has 2-3 officials. The uniforms are shorts and a short sleeved/tank jersey. The coaches are allowed at the whole entire game unless of course if they get ejected. In 1971, the 5 player, full court rule is adopted along with the 30 second shot clock. I only covered a few sports’ history, but I think we can all agree that time is changing. The history of sports is not the same, and the rules are different and modern. It is fun to be a part of something where the history behind it, is changing over time.