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Softball is a version of baseball (itself a version of rounders, via Townball) that is played by mixed-sex mixed-ability teams; although it can be played at a very serious level in a highly organized way, it is also very suitable for recreational play. It needs only a modest outlay in equipment, and can be played in more or less any wide open space (there is also a winter indoor version!). |
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The 10-a-side teams are normally made up of 5 men and 5 women; and you don't have to be super fit to play (one visit to our practise session would prove that!). It is an ideal sport for people looking to combine a competitive sport with a great social scene.
There are tens of millions of softballers throughout the world, some 15 million players in Europe alone. All the following countries have national softball federations, some with web pages, and are members of the European Softball Federation: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Great Britain, Guernsey, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Moldova, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, San Marino (honest!), Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and Ukraine. The game has grown rapidly in Britain over the last 10 years and nearly every major city now boasts a softball league.
Softball is a fast moving game. A match takes about hour and a half to play. Each team bats and fields seven times. The batting side attempts to get their players around the `diamond' whilst the fielding side tries to get them out in one of several ways. The fielding side has to get three batters out to end their `inning'. Teams then reverse roles and so the game continues. Unlike cricket, the time spent sitting around waiting to bat is minimal. And even if you're out first time, you are sure to get two or three more chances.
SOFTBALL LINKS