Softball in Madhya Pradesh

Verified profileAchievements, tournaments, coaches and scholarships on this page are compiled from federation and government sources (Softball Association of India (softballindia.com), World Baseball Softball Confederation (wbsc.org), Wikipedia — Softball in India, India men's/women's national softball team).

Overview

Governing body: SAI Softball
Origin: 19th century USA
Olympic discipline: Yes
Category: Team
Total players listed: …

Softball is one of India's most-followed disciplines. The SAI Softball oversees national federation activity, talent identification and Olympic qualification pathways. Major support flows in through TOPS and Khelo India for athletes who clear federation benchmarks.

Softball is a recognised Olympic discipline, which shapes the entire high-performance pipeline in India. Athletes who break into the senior national camp become eligible for the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), which funds international training stints, foreign coaches, sports science support, equipment and travel for ranking events. Below the senior tier, the Khelo India Youth Games, University Games and Winter Games act as the country's largest scouting net, feeding talent into the Khelo India Talent Development scheme where annual stipends, boarding and dedicated coaching are provided at SAI National Centres of Excellence and accredited academies. The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports tracks every selected athlete's progress against published benchmarks, and underperformance can mean a drop from the scheme — the pathway is rigorous by design.

As a team sport, Softball in India is built around a club, district and state structure that culminates in national-level inter-state competition. State associations affiliated to the SAI Softball run age-group leagues from under-14 upwards, with the strongest pools historically coming from states with established grassroots infrastructure. Franchise leagues — where they exist — sit on top of this pyramid and have transformed athlete earnings, broadcast visibility and the professionalisation of coaching and support staff. School and college tournaments under SGFI and AIU remain the primary discovery route for players who do not come through a private academy.

At the grassroots, the route into Softball typically starts at school under the School Games Federation of India (SGFI), at the inter-university level under the Association of Indian Universities (AIU), or through a private academy registered with the state association. The Khelo India Youth Games and Khelo India University Games are the largest single discovery platforms — athletes who reach the podium at these events become eligible for the Khelo India Talent Development scheme, which funds boarding, coaching, kit, education and a monthly stipend at accredited centres. State sports awards and central government jobs under the sports quota remain a powerful incentive for athletes from smaller towns.

Softball originated in 19th century USA, and in India it has developed a distinct character shaped by the country's geography, demographics and sporting culture. Whether you want to compete, coach, sponsor, write about or simply follow Softball, the practical starting point is the same: connect with your state association under the SAI Softball, identify the nearest SAI centre or accredited academy, and track the Khelo India and federation calendars for the events that decide selection at every level. Softball is played and developed across India under the SAI Softball, with grassroots programmes, state associations and national-level competition pathways.

History

How softball evolved globally and took root in India.

Softball traces its modern origins to 19th century USA. Codified rules, standard equipment and international competition took shape as the sport spread beyond its birthplace, and SAI Softball is the body that carried it into organised Indian competition.

In India, softball grew through princely-state patronage, defence-service teams, universities and state associations. Post-independence, the discipline was formalised under SAI Softball, national championships were instituted, and the Sports Authority of India (SAI) later brought it into the centralised high-performance system with dedicated centres, coaching cadres and sports-science support.

Softball being on the Olympic programme reshaped its Indian pathway: Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) selection, Khelo India Talent Development stipends and international training stints became the norm for the country's leading athletes.

Scholarships & Funding

Central, state and private scholarships available for softball athletes in India.

Khelo India Talent Development Scheme (KISCE)
Monthly stipend (₹10,000 for Khelo India athletes), boarding, coaching and kit at accredited centres for identified softball talent (Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports).
Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS)
Central government scheme covering training, foreign exposure, equipment and out-of-pocket allowance (up to ₹50,000/month) for medal-prospect softball athletes; administered by the Mission Olympic Cell.

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Indian Players

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Rules

Similar to baseball but pitched underarm, played on a smaller diamond over 7 innings with teams of 9. The batting team scores runs by hitting the pitch and circling the bases before being put out.

Authoritative rulebook: SAI Softball. Age-group and school-level variations are published by SGFI and the state associations each season.

Positions

Key roles, events or positions inside a softball squad or competition.

Attackers / forwards
Primary scorers who operate closest to the opposition goal or scoring zone.
Midfielders / all-rounders
Link play between defence and attack; usually the highest work-rate positions.
Defenders
Deny the opposition space and possession in the defensive third.
Goalkeeper / last line
Specialist stopper with distinct kit and rules; the final line of defence.
Captain & vice-captain
On-field leadership, decision-making and communication with match officials.

Equipment

Standard kit and infrastructure required to train and compete in softball at a federation-recognised event.

Softball bat
Softball (larger, softer than a baseball)
Fielding glove
Batting helmet

Governing body

National federation

SAI Softball

SAI Softball is the recognised national body for Softball in India. It sets the domestic calendar, selection norms, coaching curriculum and anti-doping compliance, and is affiliated to the international federation for softball. State associations under SAI Softball run age-group competition and feed the national talent pipeline.

Origin: 19th century USA
Olympic: Yes
Category: Team

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Major Indian Events

Domestic championships, Khelo India events, National Games and franchise leagues that shape the softball calendar in India.

National Softball Championship
India's primary domestic competition, organized by the Softball Association of India, held annually across East/West/North/South/Inter-Zone rounds feeding into sub-junior, junior and senior national events (44th edition held in Puri, Odisha).
National Baseball5 Championship
Baseball5 — a minimalist 5-a-side variant — was introduced in India by Punjab Baseball in 2019 and has grown quickly; the first national championship was held in 2021.

International Events

Continental and world-level competitions where India competes in softball.

Asian Softball Championship
India's men's team has competed since 1985 (best result: 4th, 2022) and is ranked 14th in WBSC's world rankings; the women's team has competed since 1991.
Softball World Cup
Both national teams have made one World Cup appearance each — men's in 2017, women's in 2016.

Leagues

No dedicated professional league is currently catalogued for softball. The national championship under SAI Softball remains the top domestic competition.

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International Players

Globally recognised softball athletes to know outside India.

Lionel Messi (Argentina)
8-time Ballon d'Or; 2022 World Cup winner.
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
5-time Ballon d'Or; Euro 2016 champion.
Kylian Mbappé (France)
2018 World Cup winner; multiple Ligue 1 top scorer.
Erling Haaland (Norway)
Manchester City forward; Premier League Golden Boot.
Manuel Neuer (Germany)
2014 World Cup-winning goalkeeper; Bayern Munich legend.

Records

Where to find India's official softball record book.

Olympic medalsTracked
Individual and team Olympic medals for India in softball are logged on the official IOC and IOA archives.
Asian Games medalsTracked
India's Asian Games results in softball are compiled by the Indian Olympic Association and the SAI Softball.
Commonwealth medalsTracked
Commonwealth Games and Commonwealth Championship medals in softball are maintained by the SAI Softball.
World Championship medalsTracked
Senior, junior and youth World Championship medal records are held by the international federation for softball and mirrored by SAI Softball.
National record holdersFederation register
SAI Softball publishes the current senior, junior and sub-junior national records and updates them after every ratified event.

Career Options

Ways to build a career in softball — on the field, on the sidelines and behind the scenes.

Playing pathway through the Softball Association of India's zonal and national championship structure
An estimated one million children currently play softball in Indian schools and universities
Neetal Narang became the first female president of Softball India — a notable milestone in the sport's administration
Coaching and umpiring certification through the Softball Association of India

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Related academies

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No softball academies are catalogued in the directory yet. Browse the full academy list or list your academy to appear here.

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Government Schemes

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Central and state schemes that fund training, stipends and awards for softball athletes and academies.

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FAQs

Common questions about softball in India.

When did softball come to India?▾

Softball was introduced to India in 1944, when local boys in Jodhpur started playing with American troops stationed there during the Second World War.

Softball in every state & UT

Dedicated pages for Softball in each Indian state and Union Territory — academies, schemes, athletes and how to start.

Softball