SOFTBALL HISTORY

!!!...THE ORIGINAL HISTORY OF SOFTBALL...!!!

!!..ACTUAL FACTS OF THE CUBAN AMERICAN SOFTBALL LEAGUE INC..!!    

Softball is a popular game played by more then 40 million people worldwide. Softball resembles baseball, but the rules of the sport differ in several ways. For example, softball pitching must be underhand, and base runners must remain on base until the ball has left the pitchers hand. Softball requires less field space and regulations. Each game lasts seven innings as oppose to baseball lasting nine innings.

Field And Equipment: The Infield in softball is smaller than that of baseball. The bases lie 60 feet (18 meters) apart. The pitcher stands 46 feet (14 meters) from home plate in men's games and 40 feet (12 meters) away in women's games. The distance between home plate and the fence for Modified Style are: males (265 feet/80 meters) and females (200 feet/60 meters); for Fast pitch: males (225 feet/68 meters) and females (200 feet/60 meters); for Slow pitch: males (275 feet/83 meters) and females (250 feet/76 meters), and for Co-ed (275 feet/83 meters). The Pitcher’s circle is (8 feet/2.44 meters), and the length of the pitcher's plate is (24 inches/60 cm) by (6 inches/15 cm) width.

Size And Texture Of Softball &  Bats:  Softballs are larger than baseballs. They are filled with a soft material called kapok, or with a mixture of cork and rubber. The balls have a cover of cowhide or horsehide. The most common softball covers are leather and synthetic with a c.o.r. of 47 or 50.  Softball bats were originally made from wood; however, now most are made of metal and can’t be thicker than 2¼ (5.7 cent.), or longer than 38 inches (97 cent). Some bats are not allowed or otherwise suspended from use, due to exceeding the limits.  

History: The game of softball was developed as an indoor game in 1887 by George W. Hancock of the Farragut Boat Club of Chicago. Mr. Hancock used a 16-inch ball whose seams looked like ridges because they were turned in-side-out. In 1895, Lewis Rober of The Minneapolis Fire Department adapted the game for outdoor play. Mr.Rober used a 12- inch ball which had a cover that resembled that of a baseball. What we now know as the game of softball came from Mr. Rober's version of the game.

Background of the Cuban-American Softball League Inc

The league was founded in 1961 by Mr. Emilio Erechaderra (deceased) which consisted of four teams mainly the participants were Cubans that had come to Miami from the Island. Some of its' members were Cuban professional baseball players. The league's original name was (La Liga Cubana en el Exilio).

Several years later, the pitching style became modified, resulting that in 1966 Mr. Villamil (deceased) creates another league under the name of (Liga de la Libertad), using yet another pitching style called "Fast-Pitch".

In the early 1980's, Mr. Emilio Erechaderra>>>>>  later in 1985, developing an illness  requested that Mr. Jose Mario Lorenzo  help him manage the league. Mr. Lorenzo gladly accepted volunteering  his free time to organize the Playoffs, All Stars, Trophy Ceremony, and much more. In late 1988, Mr. Erechaderra decides to dismount the league and dies a few months later.             

The Beginning of the Cuban-American Softball League Inc

At the end of 1988, Mr. Jose Mario Lorenzo was asked to organize a new softball league. He accepted the challenge enthusiastically because not only was he a long-time softball fan, but consequently Mr. Lorenzo was experiencing difficult times through a divorce and felt he could use the experience as a tool to grow. Jointly with Miguel Angel Rubido (Vice President), they agreed to name the league Cuban-American Softball League Inc since 80% of the players were of Cuban decent and the remaining 20% of the players where born in the states and form all parts of the world.

The games  were only played on Sunday mornings (style: modified) in Miami and Hialeah, FL. By early 1991,the league had reached its first all time record of 30 teams doubling its original 12 teams. Around mid year, Mr. Lorenzo created the first night league on Friday having 8 teams and playing at a variety of parks including Peacock Park, Curtis Park and Grand Avenue Park; Consequently, leading to the initiative of the League's first tournaments held once a year at Bucky Dent Park in Hialeah, FL. By the end of 1994,^^^ years, the league continued to grow ^^^^^   participation from players from all over the world (Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Colombia, Venezuela, Mexico, Panama, Puerto Rico, United States, etc).

The League Today (C.A.S.L.) May 2005

The League today (2004), is the largest in the United States, Modified Style, with an average of 80 teams per season, having five different divisions several days a week. Sunday mornings consists of 40 teams (AAA-the only with fast pitch, base stealing, bunt, etc, AA-A-B-C), Friday nights with 32 teams (Divisions AA,A, B, C, D), Tuesdays and Thursdays with 12 teams each, and Saturdays with 8 teams.  All players are required to be 18 years or older.

The League has two yearly Tournaments, the first one on July 4th and then in December  the "Christmas Tournament", with an average participation of over 20 teams around the world, all playing Modified Style. There is also a tournament played once a month.

The League travels throughout the year to different cities, states and countries, such  as Chicago, New York, New Jersey, Tampa, Orlando, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Mexico, etc.

Trophy and Ceremony , are organized after every championship. The ceremony  is a formal trophy presentation where the sponsors of each playoff team ^^^^ players first place , and all stars all get recognized with a trophy . At every Trophy Ceremony, the League invites a special guest, this is usually  the Director of Parks and Recreation, Representatives from local Newspapers, Radio and/ or T.V.  

Acknowledgement

Mr. Lorenzo wishes to take this opportunity to thank the following individuals for their continued support in making the league such a success: My five children, Jose Mario Jr. (Score Keeper), Maggie (Coordinator and Secretary for the League),Mario Jesus (Programming/ Web Site), Silvia and Mario Jose ( Score Keeper).  Zoraida Fernandez (former Secretary for the League and friend), Miguel Angel Rubido, (Vice President and life-time friend), Julian Rivas (designer of scorekeeping format), and special mention to the Radio, Television, and Newspaper personalities (Roly Martin, Rene Fernandez, Sarvelio Del Valle, Manolo Alvarez, Aurelio Moreno, etc),Also, thanks to the collaboration of Miami-Dade Parks and Recreation, especially to Mr. Willie Cutie and his wife Mrs. Martha Cutie, and to all employees that work at the following parks: Tropical and Tamiami. A very special Thanks to all of the players, their families, friends, sponsors and the fans.

!! SAY NO TO DRUGS !!    

YES TO SPORTS

GOD BLESS YOU ALL

Copyright © 2000 Cuban-American Softball League Inc. All rights reserved.
\CUBAN AMERICAN SOFTBALL LEAGUE INC

(2004) Revised by: Maggie Lorenzo