Whether you're a newcomer to the game or a league player looking to sharpen your skills and understanding, A Basic Guide to Softball will enhance your appreciation of the history of the sport and its rules and fundamentals. You'll learn the basic skills and strategies needed for each position, find out how to choose and care for your equipment, and meet the members of the Olympic Gold Medal-winning USA Softball Team. Special features include: Results of the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia; profiles of US Women's Softball Team members; history of Softball in the Olympic Games; rules for Fast Pitch, Modified Pitch, Slow Pitch, and 16-Inch Slow Pitch; practical advice about health and fitness; guidelines for players, parents, fans, and volunteers