16-inch softball
Encyclopedia
16-inch softball is a variant of softball
, but using a bigger, squishier ball with no gloves or mitts on the fielders. Although it most closely resembles the original game as developed in the 19th century by George Hancock
, today it remains popular almost exclusively in Chicago
. The first set of rules were published in 1937 by the Amateur Softball Association
, in the same manual as the rules for fastpitch softball
.
(NSA) also has a published set of rules governing 16 inch softball play.
s or even indoors accommodating the Chicago landscape and climate. Another advantage of the 16 inch ball was that it allowed everyone to play barehanded. Gloves were a rare luxury as the Great Depression
hit Chicago particularly hard.
After the first national championship held in 1933 at the Century of Progress World's Fair
, the sport grew in popularity. A professional league was formed that lasted through the 1950s. Teams drew crowds of over 10,000 each night. Leagues continue today but not at the same level of popularity. There are co-ed recreational leagues, competitive leagues and even a league for Chicago Public School students.
In 1996 Al Maag and Tony Reibel established the 16" softball hall of fame. Since inception, the organization has held annual inductee dinners that are attended by over 600 guests. The organization is currently raising money to erect a museum in Forest Park, Illinois
, a suburb of Chicago. The Chicago 16" Softball Hall of Fame is a registered 501(c) not-for-profit organization.
Softball
Softball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of 10 to 14 players. It is a direct descendant of baseball although there are some key differences: softballs are larger than baseballs, and the pitches are thrown underhand rather than overhand...
, but using a bigger, squishier ball with no gloves or mitts on the fielders. Although it most closely resembles the original game as developed in the 19th century by George Hancock
George Hancock (softball)
George Hancock, at the time a reporter for Chicago Board of Trade, invented the game of softball in 1887. The first game was played indoors, inside the Farragut Boat Club in Chicago. Someone found a boxing glove and threw it and someone else hit it with a stick. George Hancock shouted "Let's play...
, today it remains popular almost exclusively in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
. The first set of rules were published in 1937 by the Amateur Softball Association
Amateur Softball Association
The Amateur Softball Association is a volunteer, non-profit organization based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. It was founded in 1933 with a tournament held in Chicago that was organized by Leo Fischer and Michael J. Pauley. The following year the 1934 National Recreation Congress recognized the ASA. ...
, in the same manual as the rules for fastpitch softball
Fastpitch softball
Fast-pitch softball is a form of softball played commonly by women and men, though coed fast-pitch leagues also exist. The International Softball Federation is the international governing body of softball...
.
Game play
16 inch softball game play is mostly consistent with standard softball game play. 16 inch softball, compared to standard or 12 inch softball, is played with a ball 16" in circumference. Leagues may form co-ed teams, all male or all female teams. Additionally, teams may choose competitive or recreational leagues. There may be rule variations associated with the specific field or league of play. When playing in a co-ed league, there may be other rules that apply related to the male to female ratio of team members and batting order. The National Softball AssociationNational Softball Association
The National Softball Association “is a sporting governing body. The NSA gives softball teams the opportunity to play in qualifying tournaments for State, National Regional and World Series Tournament play. Also in certain NSA qualifying tournaments, teams are able to win a berth into the NSA...
(NSA) also has a published set of rules governing 16 inch softball play.
History
The earliest known softball game of any kind was played in Chicago on Thanksgiving day 1887. The first softball was a wrapped up boxing glove and the bat was a broom. Harvard and Yale students invented the game while waiting to hear the results of the annual Harvard-Yale football game. Until the turn of the 20th century, ball sizes ranged from 12 to 17 inches in circumference. The 16 inch softball was eventually adopted in Chicago because it didn't travel far as far as the popular 12 or 14 inch balls. This allowed for play on smaller playgroundPlayground
A playground or play area is a place with a specific design for children be able to play there. It may be indoors but is typically outdoors...
s or even indoors accommodating the Chicago landscape and climate. Another advantage of the 16 inch ball was that it allowed everyone to play barehanded. Gloves were a rare luxury as the Great Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
hit Chicago particularly hard.
After the first national championship held in 1933 at the Century of Progress World's Fair
Century of Progress
A Century of Progress International Exposition was the name of a World's Fair held in Chicago from 1933 to 1934 to celebrate the city's centennial. The theme of the fair was technological innovation...
, the sport grew in popularity. A professional league was formed that lasted through the 1950s. Teams drew crowds of over 10,000 each night. Leagues continue today but not at the same level of popularity. There are co-ed recreational leagues, competitive leagues and even a league for Chicago Public School students.
League and tournament play
Many local organizations host regular season play, typically weekly games, as well as their own playoff systems. National organizations, such as the NSA, host a variety of tournaments. By placing well in NSA tournaments, teams can qualify and compete for the 16 inch softball world series. Because local leagues may have slight variations in rules, the NSA world series is played by its own set of world series rules. One notable change is that Chicago area players, who typically are not allowed to wear gloves, may choose to wear gloves in world series games.Hall of Fame
Organization Mission: The Chicago 16" Softball Hall of Fame has been formed to promote the great game that started in Chicago by honoring and recognizing the game's best players, teams and supporters.In 1996 Al Maag and Tony Reibel established the 16" softball hall of fame. Since inception, the organization has held annual inductee dinners that are attended by over 600 guests. The organization is currently raising money to erect a museum in Forest Park, Illinois
Forest Park, Illinois
Forest Park is a village in Cook County, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago in the United States. The population was 15,688 at the 2000 census...
, a suburb of Chicago. The Chicago 16" Softball Hall of Fame is a registered 501(c) not-for-profit organization.
Notable Celebrities Who Played Softball
- Chicago newspaper columnist Mike RoykoMike RoykoMichael "Mike" Royko was a newspaper columnist in Chicago, who won the 1972 Pulitzer Prize for commentary...
loved 16-inch softball.
- United States Supreme Court Justice Elena KaganElena KaganElena Kagan is an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, serving since August 7, 2010. Kagan is the Court's 112th justice and fourth female justice....
played 16-inch softball while she was a member of the faculty at the University of Chicago Law SchoolUniversity of Chicago Law SchoolThe University of Chicago Law School was founded in 1902 as the graduate school of law at the University of Chicago and is among the most prestigious and selective law schools in the world. The U.S. News & World Report currently ranks it fifth among U.S...
.