Softball at the Olympics in 2020? There is hope!

As the London 2012 Olympics wind down, I can say I have really enjoyed these games. The American women have been exciting, amazing and tough as nails. Too bad all of our best don't get to enjoy these games. I'm truly missing softball at these games.

During these games we got to witness the American women, win a team gold medal in Gymnastics with brilliant performance’s. The US women also SHATTERED the WR in the 4x100 relay, running clean, fast and as loving teammates. Let’s not forget we got to witness probably the greatest women’s soccer (football) game ever played, regardless of what you think on the officiating. The game was nail biting and just fun to watch. If you ever want a person you daughter to model herself after, I'd look no further than Alex Morgan. What a solid amazing player that NEVER gives up. She puts pressure on opposing players like no other women I've ever seen play.

Again, how great would it be for our greatest US women to be playing Softball at these games? I really think it would have even made these games better.


Lets look at why they aren't there really fast, what they are doing to get back in . Why they left- an IOC vote of 52 - 52 was the vote for a game most of the IOC members thought was "women's baseball". There was one further member that didn't vote, but I'll go into that later. It needed 53 votes to keep it in.

Had the vote been taken 4 days later, many think that Softball would still be in. There was tons of thoughts that the US was too dominate. The US lost the last game of the Bejing Olympics to Japan. After that game, many of the NO votes stated they seen and knew that it was no longer only "female baseball".

Only four teams ever won a medal in the sport during its very brief time leading those no votes to see it as a 'non world' game. Which is very far from the truth.

Let’s be truthful, the IOC is about money. Host countries really complained that making TWO separate stadiums was very costly. Both China's and Greece's softball stadiums cost over $100 million and sit empty. No, this isn't proper planning on these countries part but I can understand why this could cause issues. A single sport venue that costs this much is hard to justify.

On the way back?

They are making strides, one key is that now Baseball and Softball have teamed up to show the IOC members what they can offer. They have also said they will fall under the same banner making it a single sport and shortening the cost to a host country.

ESPN reports they are going against sports for the 2020 games such as Squash, Sport climing and board sports. Aug. 1st there is a meeting that might help make this easier, they are meeting with Major League Baseball to propose them to find a way to compete. If they come about it will surely make this easier. Japan, Australia and Korea have already committed the best players for the Olympics if they get back in.

The ISF has had a strong presence and worked hard at swaying the IOC, by 2013 there should be a solid vote to see which sports will get in. More news then I guess. So until then we are stuck wondering why a generation of young ladies get their Olympic dreams smashed.

The ISF has also been masterful at doing clinics and setting up coaches to team the game of Softball in other areas of the world.

Here is a link from the ISF that shows just how much media coverage that has been going on over the course of the London games that shows there is very much a want for this sport to come back. As the report from the New Zeeland paper points out, only a handful of team sports can draw as much international representation.

I'm still saddened that Softball is gone. I wish I could do more to help get it reinstated. I wish so many didn't only realize it was gone only while the Olympic Games are going on! There is alot I wish for here, but mostly I wish the IOC members knew more or lots about the sports they decide to rip dreams away from athletes who work so hard to grow a sport on the grandest stage.

London really has been a memorable Olympic games but most memorable for me will be the fact that for the 1st time in recent memory I didn't get to see Softball.

Let’s change that for next time.

On a side note, if you go to the ISF home page there is a spot you can got to and donate to further their cause. Don't forget to like their Facebook page too.