Softball is a popular variation of baseball, the difference being that it is played with a larger ball, on a smaller field, and with only underhand pitches permitted. Softball is played competitively at club levels, the college level, and the professional level. The game was first created in 1887 in Chicago by George Hancock.
Little League Baseball and Softball is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania,, that organizes local youth baseball and softball leagues throughout the United States and the rest of the world.
The All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL) was a professional women's baseball league founded by Philip K. Wrigley, which existed from 1943 to 1954. The AAGPBL is the forerunner of women's professional league sports in the United States. Over 600 women played in the league, which eventually consisted of 10 teams located in the American Midwest. In 1948, league attendance peaked at over 900,000 spectators. The most successful team, the Rockford Peaches, won a league-best four championships.
Fastpitch softball, or simply fastpitch, is a form of softball played by both women and men. While the teams are most often segregated by sex, coed fast-pitch leagues also exist. Considered the most competitive form of softball, fastpitch is the format played at the Olympic Games. Softball was on the International Olympic Committee (IOC) program in 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008, and 2020.
Eleanor V. Wolf was a center fielder and pitcher who played from 1943 through 1950 in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League.
Margaret L. "Marnie" Danhauser was an American first basewoman who played from 1943 through 1948 in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. She batted and threw right-handed.
Betsy "Sockum" Jochum is a former outfielder and pitcher who played from 1943 through 1948 in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Listed at 5' 7", 140 lb., she batted and threw right-handed.
Mary Nesbitt Wisham was an American baseball pitcher and first basewoman who played from 1943 through 1950 in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Listed at 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m), 155 lb., Nesbitt batted and threw left-handed. She was born Marie Crews Nesbitt in Greenville, South Carolina. Before becoming married in 1946 she played under the name of Mary Nesbitt.
Genevieve "Audrey" Wagner was an outfielder who played from 1943 through 1949 in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Listed at 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m), 145 lb., she batted and threw right-handed.
Louise Veronica Arnold [Lou] was a female pitcher who played during four seasons for the South Bend Blue Sox of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Listed at 5' 5", 145 lb., she batted and threw right-handed.
Merle Patricia Keagle was an American center fielder who played in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League between the 1944 and 1948 seasons. Listed at 5' 2", 144 lb., she batted and threw right-handed.
Evelyn Wawryshyn [Litwin/Moroz] was a Canadian second base who played from 1946 through 1951 in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Listed at 5' 3", 130 lb., Wawryshyn batted and threw right-handed. She was nicknamed Evie by her friends and teammates.
Thelma "Tiby" Eisen was an outfielder who played from 1944 through 1952 in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Listed at 5' 4", 130 lb., she batted and threw right-handed.
Erma M. "Bergie" Bergmann was an American baseball pitcher and outfielder who played from 1946 through 1951 in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Listed at 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m), 155 lb., she batted and threw right-handed.
Viola Thompson [Griffin] was a pitcher who played from 1944 through 1947 in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL). Listed at 5 feet 5 inches (165 cm), 120 pounds (54 kg), she batted and threw left-handed.
Evelyn E. "Tommie" Adams was a shortstop who played in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League during the 1946 season. Listed at 5' 3", 110 lb., she was a switch-hitter and threw right-handed.
Marilyn Charlotte Jones [Doxey] was an American pitcher and catcher who played from 1948 through 1954 in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Listed at 5 ft 5 in (1.65 m), 135 lb (61 kg), she batted and threw right-handed.
The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to baseball:
The 1943 All-American Girls Professional Baseball League season marked the inaugural season of the circuit. Since the only organized ball for women in the country was softball, the league created a hybrid game that included both softball and baseball.
Ruth L. Born was an American baseball player who was a pitcher in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Listed at 5 ft 3 in (1.60 m), 125 lb, she batted and threw right-handed.