The WPSL inaugural season brought more than 85 million people through print, radio, and television in 1997. ("Interesting" n.pag.)The 1997 WPSL games broadcasted on ESPN2 achieved higher ratings that WNBA and NHL games on ESPN2, as well as ESPN2's average prime-time ratings. (n.pag.)
Fastpitch was a medal sport in the 1996 Olympic Games, which was won by the United States in front of record-setting crowds. (n.pag.)
Every fastpitch game of the 1996 Olympics was a sellout. (n.pag.)
Softball, including slowpitch and fastpitch, is the #1 participation team sport in the United States with more than 40 million players. (n.pag.)
Over 5.9 million girls from 6 to 17 years of age play softball. (n.pag.)
Softball is popular worldwide and regularly attracts crowds in excess of 20,000 at its world events. (n.pag.)
Softball is now played on every continent with more than 100 countries now active members of the International Softball Federation. (n.pag.)
