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History Of Softball Trading Pins

Did you know that softball was originally invented in 1887 as an indoor sport?

While it was supposed to be an indoor sport, softball has now grown into a large outdoor sport, with tons of leagues and teams playing around the world. These teams not only play their hardest, but they also take part in pin trading, as well!

Want to know the rich history of softball trading pins? Read on to dive deeper into what makes pins so special, and the people who made them so popular!

Trading Pins: Origin Story

The story of trading pins begins in 1896 at the first modern Olympics in Athens. The pins were not like the ones you see today, but instead little cardboard markers that athletes and officials would wear. The cardboard markers were colorful to help identify themselves, which they then traded as an act of good sportsmanship.

Just like that, the sports trading pin was born.

Olympic Games and the Start of Pin Trading

While pin trading started in 1896, it wasn't until the 1908 Olympic games in Paris that pins trading really took off. Pins were then created to represent different groups like sportsmen, judges, and media journalists. It wasn't until 1912 that there became specific pins for spectators of the games.

The 1924 Olympics in Paris cemented pin trading as a tradition of the Olympic games. The opening of the first Olympic Villiage for athletes to stay in made it even more possible for everyone to come together and trade pins as a sign of goodwill towards other contestants and nations.

The excitement around collecting pins at the Olympics made pins even more popular until, at the 1948 games, organizers of the Olympics told countries to limit the number of pins produced. This way the pins would be valuable because they are rarer.

The 1980s brought in more corporate pin sponsors like Coca-Cola, which set up their own pin trading booths at the games. Other big names like the Hard Rock Cafe soon followed in suit.

Little League: An Epicenter of Pin Trading

The first official Little League Series pin was made in 1983 and with that came a new place to find and trade rare and unique pins.

With the Little League Softball World Series, comes an opportunity to meet with players from all over the world and collect pins from each of the teams. Not only is it a great way to meet new people, but it is also a great way to create memories that will last for years to come.

The Exciting History of Softball Trading Pins

With such a rich history, its no wonder that trading pins are so popular!

The next time you are at a game and showing off your pins, remember these historical facts to tell fellow team-members and pin collectors. Not only will you be sharing some cool history, but you'll also be carrying on the legacy of pin trading!

The history of softball trading pins is full of interesting facts that can help you get inspired for your next pin design. Contact us today for a free softball pin quote and start trading pins at your next softball game!

Home Run Softball History: A Brief History of Softball, How It Started and Why

Softball may not be as mainstream popular as football or baseball, but it is a respected sport in its own right. The sport has its own iconic players, memorable games, and storied history. The sport has been around since the late 1800s and has experienced several iterations since its creation.

And while the sport's popularity has waxed and waned over the years, it's expected to gain a boost this year and next. In 2020, Softball will return to the Olympics following a 12-year absence. In fact, softball is going to kick off the 2020 Tokyo games.

With the upcoming spotlight on the sport, it's the perfect time to revisit its history and origin story. Read on to learn more about the fascinating history of softball. Whether you're a longtime fan or a curious outsider, you're sure to find this interesting.

Why and How Softball First Came to Be

First, it's important to note that the games of softball and baseball are different, and softball wasn't created because of baseball. In fact, football is part of the story of softball's creation. Softball was first created on Thanksgiving of 1887, at Farragut Boat Club in Chicago, during a watch party for the Yale vs. Harvard football game.

Yale won the game, and the Yale alumni were so excited that one of them threw a balled-up boxing glove at a Harvard alumnus. The Harvard supporter swung at and hit the glove with a stick. That night the group created and played the first game of softball.

The Early History of Softball as a Legitimate Sport

One of the people at this first game was George Hancock, a reporter from the Chicago Board of Trade. Hancock created the first official rulebook for softball in 1889. Then in 1895, he organized the game outside a Minneapolis firehouse for firefighters to pass time and exercise while waiting for an alarm.

At the time, people called the game "kitten league ball," and then the shortened, "kitten ball." In 1922, the name became "diamond ball," but over the years it was also called "mush ball" and "pumpkin ball," before the name softball became official in 1930.

How Softball Came Into Its Own

The sport's organizers did advertise softball as an indoor game for baseball players in the offseason. But once softball gained more recognition and popularity, it became its own official sport. The first national amateur softball tournament took place in conjunction with the Chicago World Fair in 1933.

A reporter at the event established the Amateur Softball Association (ASA) soon after. The sport saw its biggest growth during World War II when American servicemen would play and teach the game to others. It continued to gain popularity, and today 113 countries belong to the International Softball Federation (ISF).

Learn More Softball Facts and Get Helpful Tips

If you're looking to read more about the history of the sport or anything softball related, you're in the right place. Browse our blog to read about when softball season starts, helpful tips for finding the right softball glove, and more.

Also be sure to check out our softball trading pins instagram page for specials and cool pinspiration. Interested in getting softball pins for your team? Get a free no obligation quote or call us at 888-574-6118

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