International Softball Federation

The International Softball Federation (ISF) is the global governing body for softball, acting as a liaison between over 40 national softball organizations. Formed in 1952, the ISF coordinates international competitions, including regional and world championship tournaments for both men and women. Softball itself is a bat-and-ball sport that evolved from indoor baseball, first played in Chicago in 1887. It shares similarities with baseball but is played on a smaller field and typically consists of seven innings. A key difference is the underhand pitching motion, unlike baseball's overhand or sidearm pitches. Women's softball was included in the Olympic Games in 1996, removed after 2008, and reinstated for the 2020 Games.1