World Softball Day is celebrated each year on June 13 in cities across The United States. However, the day is not just about promoting softball, it is about promoting physical activity for good health. World Softball Day also nurtures the spirit of sportsmanship and social integration. The day inspires future generations of girls and boys to seek excellence and inspire empowerment from sports.
This is a great day to go back to sports and encourage those around us, especially children, to pursue sports seriously. Softball has been a favorite among Americans and we hope it will continue to be so for many years to come.
World Softball Day has been celebrated every year on June 13 since its inception in 2005. The day celebrates softball, a sport that is played by approximately 30 million people around the world. Many suspect that softball is an easier version of baseball, one that is primarily enjoyed by children and women — that is not true.
Softball was invented so that more people could enjoy a version of baseball indoors. This misconception along with the idea that softball is any easier than baseball is the two common misunderstandings that trouble the popular game.
The softball field is usually made of dirt or brick dust. However, the field may also be made of solid and dry surfaces such as artificial turf or asphalt. There are four bases on the infield — first base, second base, third base, and home plate.
The bases are arranged in a square and are usually 60 feet apart. Near the center of this square is the pitcher’s mound, and within the circle is a small flat rectangular piece of rubber that is kept no more than 50 feet from home plate, depending on the league the game is being played in. The object of the game is to score more runs than the opposing team by hitting the ball and running around the bases, touching each one in succession.
A game of softball usually has seven innings. Each inning is divided into a top half, in which the visiting team bats and tries to score runs, while the home team tries to record three outs. In the bottom half, the teams’ roles are reversed. Some leagues may even play within a time limit instead of innings.
