Crossword Genius

Reason to suspend soccer game? (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

softball

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'reason' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't understand how they can define each other.

'suspend soccer game?' is the wordplay.
'suspend soccer' becomes 'soft' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'game?' becomes 'ball' (ball game is a kind of game).
'soft'+'ball'='SOFTBALL'

'to' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for softball that I've seen before include "sport!"" , "played by young American" , "game" , "Junior variant of baseball" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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