[3] Softball was first played in India in 1944 by United States Army servicemen stationed in Jodhpur, Rajasthan during World War II.

Mehta founded the Softball Association of India in Jodhpur on 21 November 1961 with the support of L.M.

The American team was accompanied by ISF President W.W. Khetan, Secretary Don A. Porter, Umpire in Chief Dickston who conducted the first official clinic for Indian softball umpires.

The delegation also helped the SBAI publish the first rule book on softball in the country, and the system of umpiring the game.

Teams from Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Maharashtra and Rajasthan participated in the tournament.