Although softball originated in the late nineteenth century, players didn't wear uniforms until years later. The softball uniforms we see today are embellished with team names, logos and player numbers; however, this was not always the case. In addition, softabll started out as a predominantly male sport, unlike today's softball that's considered the female equivalent of baseball.
Softball History
Softball was introduced in 1887by a man named George Hancock following a Yale versus Harvard football game, according to SoftballPerformance.com. It began as a male indoor version of baseball, using nothing more than a tied up boxing glove and stick on a makeshift miniature baseball diamond, and with players split into teams of equal number. Taking on similar rules as baseball, softball soon became an organized team sport in Chicago with the formation of a local team known as the Farraguts. This team challenged local gym members to friendly games of softball all year round.
Uniform Introduction
The first documented uniforms in softball were introduced by a group of older gentlemen called the Kubs. Touring the United States, spectators were amused at the team's choice of uniform: according to SoftballPerformance.com, these men played strictly in their suits. This may have sparked the desire of other teams to announce their allegiance to their teams through unique dress. Uniforms were designed to fit team playing styles, hometowns and mascots, giving sporting goods salesmen with a new source of revenue. Women started forming teams and designing uniforms in 1895, as leagues formed to take up the new female interest in the sport.
Today's Uniforms
Today's uniforms have come a long way from the original suits of the Kubs. Although still played by men, softball has become a predominantly women's sport. Uniforms generally consist of a shirt made of either cotton, polyester or nylon, and brandishing the team's logo and player numbers. Softball teams wear either shorts or short breeches with shin-length socks to protect against cuts and scrapes. Cleats, a type of shoe worn to help players keep their footing on the ground, are standard since softball is rarely played indoors anymore. Caps are worn to help protect the head, while a special batting helmet is used to further prevent injury when a player is up to bat. Catchers are required to wear special helmets with a mask attached to prevent injury from a quickly approaching ball.
Governing Bodies
According to the Clear Lead website, softball rules and regulations concerning play and uniforms are determined by the Amateur Softball Association, or ASA, and the National Softball Association, or NSA. Universal rules and regulations were not mandated by any association until 1933, when the first organized tournament was scheduled at the Chicago World's Fair, showing the skill of 55 different teams in a battle to become the best softball team in the country. According to ISport.com, this prompted the 1934 announcement that the ASA would be the governing authority over the newly organized softball.
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