*More than 40 million people play each summer, which makes it the number one team sport in the United States

*Softball will return to the 2020 Olympics after being eliminated after the 2008 games (first sport to be dropped in 69 years)

*Softball was originally created to be an indoor sport

*Invented in 1887 by George Hancock

*Originated in Chicago

*The bases are 60 feet apart, unlike baseball which are 90 feet apart

*Played in over 140 countries

*The United States won 3 of 4 Olympic appearances

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