Softball at the Summer Olympics facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Softball at the Summer Olympics
Governing body	WBSC
Events	1 (women)
Games
1896 1900 1904 1908 1912 1920 1924 1928 1932 1936 1948 1952 1956 1960 1964 1968 1972 1976 1980 1984 1988 1992 1996 2000 2004 2008 2012 2016 2020
Medalists

Softball is a fun team sport similar to baseball. It was part of the Olympic Games for women from 1996 to 2008. It first appeared at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. After being removed for the 2012 and 2016 Games, softball returned for a special appearance at the 2020 Summer Olympics (which happened in 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic). The World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) manages Olympic softball.

Softball's Journey to the Olympics

Early Hopes for Olympic Inclusion

People in America and Japan first tried to get softball into the Olympics in the 1940s. These efforts continued through the 1950s. Groups like the Softball Association of America and the Japanese Softball Association worked hard. They sent letters to other countries, asking for help. Australia, for example, was very keen to support this goal.

By 1952, many thought softball had a good chance. It was popular and played in over 15 countries. New Zealand even joined forces with the American softball group to boost its chances for the 1956 Games.

These efforts kept going into the 1960s. In 1965, the International Softball Federation learned what was needed. For a sport to be in the Olympics, it had to be played in at least 11 countries. Also, its international sports body needed at least 29 national groups connected to it. At that time, softball only had 15 national groups.

By 1969, softball met the rules for inclusion. But Olympic organizers said it was "too big and too expensive." They also said this about roller skating and water skiing.

Efforts continued in the 1970s. People hoped softball could be a demonstration sport at the 1984 Summer Olympics in the United States. This did not happen. The organizers for the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona wanted softball and golf to be demonstration sports. But the IOC stopped this in 1990. They felt it would be "too much work" for the organizers. Softball fans were upset because baseball became a medal sport for men at those same Games.

Softball Joins the Olympic Program

Softball was finally added as an Olympic sport for women only. This happened at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. The decision to include it was made in 1995. Anita DeFrantz, who led a special committee on women in sports, was very important in helping softball get into the Olympics.

Softball Leaves the Olympic Program

On July 11, 2005, the IOC voted to remove baseball and softball from the Olympic program for 2012. This decision was confirmed again in 2006. To stay in the Games, softball needed more than half of the votes. But the vote was 52 for and 52 against, with one person not voting.

In August 2009, it was officially decided that softball would not be in the 2016 Summer Olympics. This was the first time in 69 years that sports (softball and polo) were removed from the Olympics. The decision to remove softball before the 2008 Beijing Games made some young players try even harder to make their national teams. They knew it might be their last chance to play in the Olympics.

Removing softball from the Olympics had a negative effect. For example, Australia's government gave less money to the sport. This meant players could not travel as much for top-level competitions.

When the IOC decided to add golf and rugby sevens to the Olympics, many in the softball community felt their sport might never return. But on April 1, 2011, the International Softball Federation and International Baseball Federation announced they were working together. They wanted to propose bringing both sports back for the 2020 Summer Olympics.

Softball Returns to the Olympics

On August 3, 2016, the IOC voted to include baseball and softball in the 2020 Summer Olympics. Other sports added were karate, sport climbing, surfing, and skateboarding.

However, softball will not be in the 2024 Paris Olympics. But it is expected to return, along with baseball, for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. This is because both sports are very popular in the United States.

Softball Rules at the Olympics

Olympic softball for women was the female version of baseball. Women's baseball was not included in the Games. Here are some differences between Olympic softball and baseball rules:

• The ball is pitched underhand (from below the shoulder).
• The softball weighs between 6.25 ounces (177 g) and 7 ounces (200 g).
• The pitcher's mound is flat, not raised like in baseball.
• The infield is dirt, not grass.
• The outfield fence is 200 feet (61 m) from home plate. In baseball, it's usually further.
• The distance between bases is 60 feet (18 m). In baseball, it's 90 feet (27 m).
• Olympic softball games have seven innings, while baseball games have nine.

Olympic Softball Tournament Format

At the Olympics, eight teams competed in softball. Teams were chosen based on these rules:

• One team was the host nation.
• Four teams were the top finishers from the most recent ISF Women's World Championship.
• The last three teams qualified through special regional tournaments.

The first part of the competition was a round robin. This means every team played against every other team. The top four teams with the best records moved on to the semifinals. In the semifinals, the team with the best record automatically went to the finals. The other semifinal winner played against the team that lost to the top semifinal winner. The winner of this game then went to the final match.

Softball at the Olympic Games: A Look Back

1996 Summer Olympics

The softball games in 1996 were held in Columbus, Georgia. This city is about 100 miles from Atlanta, where the main Olympic Games took place. This was the first time softball was an Olympic sport.

The countries that competed were the United States, China, Australia, Japan, Canada, Taiwan, the Netherlands, and Puerto Rico. The United States won the gold medal, China took silver, and Australia earned bronze.

2000 Summer Olympics

The 2000 Games were held in Sydney, Australia. The teams competing were the United States, Japan, Australia, China, Italy, New Zealand, Cuba, and Canada. The United States won their second gold medal. Japan won silver, and Australia won their second bronze medal.

2004 Summer Olympics

The Games in 2004 took place in Athens, Greece. The teams were the United States, Australia, Japan, China, Canada, Taiwan, Greece, and Italy.

Only one batter managed to score a run against the American pitchers in 2004. That player was Stacey Porter from Australia. The United States (USA) won their third gold medal in a row. Australia (AUS) took silver, and Japan (JPN) won bronze. These were the same three medal winners as in 2000, but Australia and Japan swapped their silver and bronze places.

2008 Summer Olympics

The 2006 ISF Women's World Championship was very important. It was used to decide which teams would qualify for the 2008 Olympics. The top four teams earned a spot. China automatically qualified because they were the host country for the 2008 Olympics. So, there was a big fight for fifth place between Canada and Italy to get the last Olympic spot. Canada won that game 3–0, earning their fourth trip to the Olympics.

The medal winners were the same three nations for the third Olympics in a row, but in a different order. Japan won the gold medal in 2008. The United States took silver, and Australia won the bronze.

2020 Summer Olympics

On August 12, 2018, the United States was the first team to qualify for the 2020 Olympics. They did this by winning the 2018 World Championship. Japan automatically qualified as the host country and also as the runners-up in the 2018 World Championship.

At the 2020 Olympics, Japan won the gold medal. The United States won the silver, and Canada earned the bronze.

2024 Summer Olympics

The organizers of the 2024 Paris Olympics have announced that softball will not be part of these Games.

2028 Summer Olympics

On October 16, 2023, the International Olympic Committee announced good news for softball fans. They accepted a plan from the Los Angeles organizers for the 2028 Summer Olympics. This plan includes adding baseball/softball, cricket, flag football, lacrosse, and squash to the sports program.

Softball Olympic Records

• The first solo no-hitter in Olympic softball was thrown by American pitcher Lori Harrigan. This happened in a game against Canada at the 2000 Summer Olympics.
• Australia was the first team to beat the host country in Olympic softball. This happened against the USA team at the 1996 Summer Olympics. The USA team lost because a player hit a home run but missed touching home plate during the celebration. This meant the run didn't count, and an out was called. Australia won that game by one run. However, the USA team bounced back to win the entire tournament and the gold medal.
• The United States had an amazing 22-game winning streak at the Olympics between 2000 and 2008. This streak only ended in the gold medal match against Japan in 2008.

Olympic Softball Medal Table

At its first Olympic appearance, the United States won gold, losing only one game. They beat other strong teams like Australia and China. The United States won again at the 2000 Games, beating Japan 3–1 in the gold medal game. They also won in 2004. Japan won the tournament in 2008 and again in 2020.

Sources:

Rank	Nation	Gold	Silver	Bronze	Total
1	United States	3	2	0	5
2	Japan	2	1	1	4
3	Australia	0	1	3	4
4	China	0	1	0	1
5	Canada	0	0	1	1
Totals (5 entries)		5	5	5	15

Olympic Softball Results Over the Years

Edition	Year	Official host		Champions	Score and venue	Runners-up		Third place	Score and venue	Fourth place		No. of teams
1	1996	United States		United States	3–1 Golden Park, Columbus, Georgia	China		Australia	3–0 Golden Park, Columbus, Georgia	Japan		8
2	2000	Australia		United States	2–1 (F/8) Blacktown International Sportspark, Sydney	Japan		Australia	1–0 Blacktown International Sportspark, Sydney	China		8
3	2004	Greece		United States	5–1 Hellinikon Olympic Complex, Athens	Australia		Japan	1–0 Hellinikon Olympic Complex, Athens	China		8
4	2008	China		Japan	3–1 Fengtai Softball Field, Beijing	United States		Australia	5–3 Fengtai Softball Field, Beijing	Canada		8
5	2020	Japan		Japan	2–0 Yokohama Stadium, Yokohama	United States		Canada	3–2 Yokohama Stadium, Yokohama	Mexico		6
6	2028	United States

Nations That Have Played Olympic Softball

Nation	1996	2000	2004	2008	2020	2028	Years
Australia	3	3	2	3	5		5
Canada	5	8	5	4	3		5
China	2	4	4	5	–		4
Chinese Taipei	6	–	6	6	–		3
Cuba	–	7	–	–	–		1
Greece	–	–	7	–	–		1
Italy	–	5	8	–	6		3
Japan	4	2	3	1	1		5
Mexico	–	–	–	–	4		1
Netherlands	7	–	–	8	–		2
New Zealand	–	6	–	–	–		1
Puerto Rico	8	–	–	–	–		1
United States	1	1	1	2	2		5
Venezuela	–	–	–	7	–		1
Total Nations	8	8	8	8	6

See also

In Spanish: Sóftbol en los Juegos Olímpicos para niños

• Baseball at the Summer Olympics
• List of Olympic venues in discontinued events