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Softball Fan Guide Olympic competition dates: Sept. 17-26 Venue: SoftballCentre, Blacktown The outlook Softball, which debuted in Atlanta in 1996, returns with an eight-team field. The United States, which won the inaugural gold medal, is a heavy favorite to repeat. Lisa Fernandez, who lost a perfect game and the game itself to Australia in the 10th inning of the 1996 opening round, pitched five consecutive perfect games in the U.S. team's Olympic prep tour. She struck out all 21 batters in the fifth game. Dot Richardson is finished with her medical training and back on the U.S. team. The finer points Format: Eight countries will compete in pool play with the top four advancing to the semifinals. Equipment: First of all, the ball is hard, not soft and much heavier than a baseball. Aluminum bats are not allowed. Bases are just 60 feet apart, and the distance from the mound to home plate is just 40 feet, which means, in fast-pitch, the ball gets there in a hurry. Low scores are common. Length of game: Games are scheduled for seven innings. The Associated Press contributed to this report. |  | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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