• Most Popular
  • Most Shared

Factbox on softball

Fri Jul 25, 2008 2:07am EDT

Factbox on softball at the August 8-24 Beijing Olympics:

Sports  |  China

HISTORY

Softball was invented by American George Hancock in 1887 as an indoor game. In 1895, the first women's team was formed in Chicago. At the same time the sport was taken outdoors and called "kitten ball". The rules were standardized in 1926 and the name changed to softball. The first world championship was held in 1965 and the game is now played by more than 20 million people around the world.

Softball was first included in the Olympics in Atlanta in 1996 and is a women-only sport at the Games. It has been dropped from the program for the 2012 London Olympics.

OLYMPIC QUALIFICATION

China, United States, Japan, Australia, Canada, Taiwan, Netherlands, Venezuela

2004 CHAMPIONS

United States

OLYMPIC PROGRAMME (FINAL)

August 21

VENUE

Fengtai softball field.

OFFICIAL WEBSITE

www.internationalsoftball.com

(Edited by Clare Fallon)
Sports
China


More from Reuters

Joint Terminal Attack Controller SSgt Clinton J. Herbison, a U.S. Airman from the 817 Expeditionary Air Support Operations Squadron (EASOS) takes a break during a night mission near Honaker Miracle camp at the Pesh valley of Kunar Province August 12, 2009. Credit: REUTERS/Carlos Barria

Pictures of the Year

A look at the best photos of 2009.  Slideshow 

    PICTURES
    The Dalai Lama jokes with a nasal spray after being asked his opinion on the swine flu during a press conference after his first lecture in Lausanne, Switzerland, August 4, 2009. REUTERS/ Valentin Flauraud

    What a wacky year it's been...

    Um, what's up the Dalai Lama's nose? "Oddly Enough" editor Bob Basler rounds up the goofiest photos of the year.  Full Article 

    Oddly Enough
    A caution sign is seen next to a stock board at the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) in Sydney September 5, 2008. REUTERS/Daniel Munoz
    Political Risk in 2010:

    Don't say we didn't warn you

    With the financial crisis (mostly) in the past, U.S. investors are eying a fresh start to the coming year. Here's a look at what speedbumps lie ahead.  Full Article 

    Global Markets