Softball may have a softer ball than baseball, but it’s played hard. “It’s only the ball that’s soft” is a softball saying that has been cited in print since at least 2012.
Moorpark (CA) Acorn
2012-01-27 / Front Page
‘It’s only the ball that’s soft’
GIRLS GOT GAME—At left, Ruby Segovia, 8, of Moorpark, rounds first base during Moorpark Girls’ Softball tryouts on Jan. 22. Above, Jennifer Bill, 7, fields a ground ball. The league’s opening day is Feb. 25.
Twitter
RC Cola
@Renee_Choquette
Replying to @meg_polly
@meg_polly It’s only the ball that’s soft #softball
8:13 AM - 9 Jun 2012
Twitter
Jazzy J
@MizzGemini10
& let me inform you on a little secret:: When it comes to softball, it’s only the ball that’s soft 😝😜😝
6:25 PM - 29 Jun 2012
Twitter
Chris Noble
@noblezilla
A great player once said: “It’s only the ball that’s soft”—Brew Jays season opener TONIGHT
1:02 PM - 23 Apr 2013
Brandon[Gaille]
List of 50 Great Softball Team Slogans
Sep 6, 2013
(...)
Its only the ball that’s soft.
Twitter
Youth Sports Fan
@youthsportsfan
Its only the ball that’s soft. http://fb.me/3ixQTBXkj
8:15 AM - 26 May 2015
Above, a 1934 plaque from the Big Apple Night Club at West 135th Street and Seventh Avenue in Harlem. Discarded as trash in 2006. Now a Popeyes fast food restaurant on Google Maps.
Recent entries:
•
“What do you call someone who gives out soda at Christmas?"/"Fanta Clause.” (3/31)
•
“I need some kind of cation… vacation… staycation… relocation… medication…” (3/31)
•
“I need some kinda cation… vacation… staycation… medication…” (3/31)
•
Entry in progress—BP (3/31)
•
“I need some kind of cation… vacation… staycation… medication…” (3/31)
More new entries...
Above, Big Apple Corner at 54th Street and Broadway in Manhattan. Google Maps.
Above, John J. Fitz Gerald, from the Aug. 15, 1931, Binghamton (NY) Press, pg. 14.
Listen to Robert Emmerich introduce "The Big Apple," a hit song from 1937. Music written by Bob and performed by Tommy Dorsey's Clambake Seven with Bob on piano. Lyrics written by Buddy Bernier and sung by Edythe Wright. Audio provided by Dorothy Emmerich.
Also listen to a 1937 "The Big Apple" song by Ozzie Nelson and his Orchestra. See a 1929 photo of John J. Fitz Gerald and a 1931 photo of John J. Fitz Gerald.
This site is edited by Barry Popik.