The rules of this game are mostly consistent with standard softball, making allowances for the larger, softer ball. Players do not use gloves, and the bats are larger. Teams can be unisex or co-ed. Jammed fingers are a common injury, so watch out!
The game is sometimes called clincher, mushball, cabbageball, puffball, blooperball, smushball and Chicago ball. The game was developed in Chicago and has seen play in other cities such as Atlanta, New York, New Orleans and Portland, OR.
With so many variations of the game, there is no single governing organization. Each league sets up their own rules. Multiple manufacturers offer 16 inch softballs. Sometimes called a Chicago 16″ Softball or a Clincher Softball, each ball has a leather or synthetic leather cover, elastic shell winding, and the famous Clincher Stitch.
An example of the rules by the Huntley Parks states:
VIII. General Rules
B. Game Ball: 16” Optic Yellow provided by Huntley Park District.
USA Softball offers rules for 16 Inch Softball:
RULE 3 – EQUIPMENT
SECTION 3 – OFFICIAL SOFTBALL
C. THE 16-INCH BALL: The official 16-inch softball shall be at least 16.0 inches in circumference when measured across two seams, and shall weigh at least 9.0 ounces. The 16-inch ball shall have a white cover, white stitches, a Ball COR of .470 or under, and a Ball Compression of 375.0 lbs. or under. The 16-inch ball shall be used in the following USA Softball play: All Men’s 16-inch Slow Pitch.
References:
https://www.huntleyparks.org/assets/1/6/16_Inch_Softball_Rules.pdf
https://www.usasoftball.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/120/2023/12/2024_OfficialRulebook_USASoftball.pdf
