Who won the Southwest Champ in Las Vegas? See Tournament Champs page.

Why is it called softball? You must have asked yourself this question numerous times, especially if you got hit in the face by one. The name dates from 1926, but there is no clear explanation where it comes from. Some say the name originates from the first ball, intended for indoor play, that was bigger, softer and squishier. Since then, the ball hardened but the name stuck. Others say the name comes from the method used to pitch and the fact that it is not wound as tightly as a baseball. Other than name, there’s really nothing soft about softball.