If you've played more than like 10 games :/ Growing up in Chicago, "softball" meant 16" and nobody used mitts for casual games and you could count on at least a jammed finger in any game. The amount of momentum such a large "soft" ball has is deceptive.

Wow I had no idea this was even a thing, or that it could be more common than regular softball in Chicago.

Reminds me a bit of Candlepin bowling [1]. When I was growing up in New England, that was the only type of bowling we had in my town. And even now that both types are available (often in the same bowling alley), we still call regular tenpin bowling "big ball" bowling.

I wonder what other such regional sports variations are out there that I've never heard of.

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candlepin_bowling

I'm fairly sure Mike Royko wrote a column denouncing a plan to allow gloves for league games.