International Softball Federation
Encyclopedia
Sport governing body
A sport governing body is a sports organization that has a regulatory or sanctioning function. Sport governing bodies come in various forms, and have a variety of regulatory functions. Examples of this can include disciplinary action for rule infractions and deciding on rule changes in the sport...
for the sport of softball
Softball
Softball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of 10 to 14 players. It is a direct descendant of baseball although there are some key differences: softballs are larger than baseballs, and the pitches are thrown underhand rather than overhand...
. The ISF is a non-profit corporation recognized by the International Olympic Committee
International Olympic Committee
The International Olympic Committee is an international corporation based in Lausanne, Switzerland, created by Pierre de Coubertin on 23 June 1894 with Demetrios Vikelas as its first president...
(IOC) and the General Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF).
The ISF organizes and conducts world championship competition in women's & men's fast pitch, junior women's & junior men's fast pitch (19-and-under), women's, men's & coed slow pitch, and women's & men's modified pitch. The ISF sanctions regional championships and provides technical support to Regional (Multi-Sport) Games. Additionally the ISF qualifies teams for Olympic softball competition in coordination with the IOC. The ISF provides the official playing rules for international competition including but not limited to; Olympic Games, world championships, regional championships, regional Games and other sanctioned competitions.
Hall of Fame
- For a list of inductees and their biographical sketches, see footnote.
The ISF Hall of Fame
Hall of Fame
A hall of fame, wall of fame, walk of fame, walk of stars or avenue of stars is a type of attraction established for any field of endeavor to honor individuals of noteworthy achievement in that field...
has inducted members every other year since 1981. Inductees include players, coaches, umpires, and administrators (plus individuals in the Meritorious Service category). Individuals are nominated by the national governing body for softball in their country. Nominees are considered by the ISF Hall of Fame Commission. Voting is conducted at the biennial ISF congress. ISF is planning to build an ISF Hall of Fame & Museum at its world headquarters in Plant City, Florida
Plant City, Florida
Plant City is a city in Hillsborough County, Florida, in the United States, approximately midway between Brandon and Lakeland along Interstate 4. The population was 34,721 at the 2010 census....
, USA.
Medal of Honor
- For a list of recipients, see footnote.
The ISF Medal of Honor was first awarded in 1990.
List of members
The ISF considers some dependent territories, such as the British Virgin Islands, to be "countries" for the purposes of international competition. Those dependent territories compete separately from their "parent" country. There are members from every continent in the world, except Antarctica.The national governing body for softball in each of the countries listed below is considered to be a member of the ISF.
Americas
There are a total of thirty-four member countries and dependent territories.| . (The ISF calls them the Virgin Islands) |