Softball Softball is an exciting team sport in Special Olympics. Athletes play slow-pitch Softball, which involves two teams of 10 athletes each. A Special Olympics Oklahoma (USA) athlete takes her turn at bat. Athletes of all ages compete in Special Olympics softball. [Photo courtesy Special Olympics Oklahoma (USA)] Special Olympics offers individual skills competition to allow athletes to train and compete in basic softball skills. The development of these key skills is necessary prior to advancing to team competition. These skills include base running, fielding and throwing. A player's final score is determined by adding together the scores achieved in each of the events. Special Olympics athletes also can participate in Special Olympics Unified Sports® softball team competition. Unified Sports is a program that combines Special Olympics athletes and athletes without intellectual disabilities (partners) on sports teams for training and competition. In Unified Sports softball, a team shall never exceed five athletes and five partners. Each team shall have a non playing head coach responsible for the line-up and conduct of the team during competition. As in all Special Olympics sports, athletes are grouped in competition divisions according to ability level, age and gender. Softball Facts Special Olympics softball was introduced in 1983. The 1999 Special Olympics World Summer Games held in North Carolina, USA hosted 413 Special Olympics athletes from seven Special Olympics Programs around the world and 120 Special Olympics athletes in Special Olympics Unified Sports softball. As of the 2005 Special Olympics Athlete Participation Report, 46,594 Special Olympics athletes compete in softball. Softball Events Slow Pitch Tee-ball Competition Unified Sports Slow Pitch Competition The following events provide meaningful competition for athletes with lower ability levels: Base Race Bat for Distance Related Links International Softball Federation