WTH! No more Baseball or Softball at 2008 Games?

[marzetta7]

What in the hell is going on? No Baseball or Softball at the Summer Olympics? I can't freakin believe it! Granted I gues this happened a while back (2005), but I had no clue until I heard the announcement in the 2008 Games...

Secret ballot eliminates baseball, softball

http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/news/story?id=2103234

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/09/sp...09olympic.html

The two sports were kicked out of the Olympics, unwanted by international sports officials who felt they were too American for the world sports stage.

The decision, made during a secret vote in Singapore, is effective for the 2012 London Games, meaning the two sports will have a final fling at the 2008 Beijing Olympics...

American pitcher Lisa Fernandez, a three-time gold medalist, blamed the decision on IOC president Jacques Rogge.

"Rogge has basically conspired against the sports to get them removed. We had done our job as a sport world wide to show we belong," she said. "I feel one person, the president of the IOC, a person from Europe, has taken it upon himself to ruin the lives of millions, actually billions of women..."

I just think the logic is ridiculous. If the sport was too American, then what about Ice Hockey for the winter olympics...is that too Canadian...or European and therefore should be thrown out? Or how about Curling? Too Scottish? Cricket? Too British?

I just can't believe it...hope they get these two sports reinstated.

[groovyone]

I wonder what the Japanese had to say about baseball being too American.

"Too British" reminded me of teh first South Park Halloween episode.

"It just makes everything taste sooo....British."

[stockstar1138]

taking softball out of the olympics has ruined the lives of billions of women????

come on now, thats just ridiculous.

you will only see the few people who care about softball crying about this one, because its one of the only times people acknowldeged softball.

baseball players could care less about the olympics, which is clearly shown every 4 years, when no mlb players go to the olympics and people flip on the padres v. nationals game on espn sunday night baseball over the baseball in the olympics.

[Wingman1977]

The reason most likely for that is because there's the World Baseball Classic which happened in 2006 and will happen every 4 years (2010 is the next one).

[Jimbo976]

There's no crying in baseball.

[jkwest]

baseball and softball have lost all of their beauty..

booooriiiiiing....

[marzetta7]

Originally Posted by jkwest

baseball and softball have lost all of their beauty..

booooriiiiiing....

And Handball, Badminton, and Cricket are so exciting.

[jkwest]

makes you wonder....huh...

[jq71586]

Billions of women?? Really? Ok, sure.

[marzetta7]

Originally Posted by stockstar1138

taking softball out of the olympics has ruined the lives of billions of women????

come on now, thats just ridiculous.

you will only see the few people who care about softball crying about this one, because its one of the only times people acknowldeged softball.

baseball players could care less about the olympics, which is clearly shown every 4 years, when no mlb players go to the olympics and people flip on the padres v. nationals game on espn sunday night baseball over the baseball in the olympics.

Obviously she was exagerating, but the point remains. There are probably hundreds of thousands, if not millions of people playing softball or baseball around the nation and world that look forward to playing their sport of choice some day in the olympics, only for it to be buried by an IOC president and a committee that is overwhelmingly European that deems the sport too American. I wonder what outrage would insue if the commitee had a more balanced committee representation and had Cricket taken out.

Also, I disagree that mlb baseball players could care less. I know a few personally who wish they could, but are blocked by legalities that the MLB have in place. In addition, you have the whole Olympics occuring during the MLB season...what is the MLB to do? Stop the season, and have star players that might be in the middle of a playoff race, go over to the Olympics. I can definately see problems there.

Also, from other articles I read Baseball and Softball had very good numbers in terms of attendance and interest.

I just think it is a shame. Baseball is a great sport.

With those who don't give a damn about baseball, I can only sympathize. I do not resent them. I am even willing to concede that many of them are physically clean, good to their mothers and in favor of world peace. But while the game is on, I can't think of anything to say to them. ~Art Hill

"Baseball is dull only to dull minds." - Red Barber

I see great things in baseball. It's our game - the American game. It will take our people out-of-doors, fill them with oxygen, give them a larger physical stoicism. Tend to relieve us from being a nervous, dyspeptic set. Repair these losses, and be a blessing to us. ~Walt Whitman

England and America should scrap cricket and baseball and come up with a new game that they both can play. Like baseball, for example. ~Robert Benchley

[marzetta7]

Originally Posted by groovyone

I wonder what the Japanese had to say about baseball being too American.

"Too British" reminded me of teh first South Park Halloween episode.

"It just makes everything taste sooo....British."

I agree. Cuba too. I know they're probably pissed...but screw Castro...J/K! ...okay, not really.

Austrailia too, they have a good baseball pedigree as well.

[Josh]

International relations affect everything. Everything.

[marzetta7]

Originally Posted by Josh

International relations affect everything. Everything.

Agreed. I also think money affects everything as well...and I think the IOC, being pissed that MLB players weren't moving over to the Olympic arena like basketball players, were willing to cut the sport--seeing it as a cash cow that hasn't reached its full potential--as an act to try and get MLB to capitulate. Probably not going to happen though.

What a shame.

[Clark Kent]

The only reason baseball and softball was cut from the Olympics was to lower the U.S. medal count by two. Certain countries are very competitive about overall medal counts and these two sports almost always guarantee the U.S. gold or silver medals.

[Ferris]

While I think baseball and softball should still be considered olympic events, I don't agree in the assessment that the US would always win gold in these 2 sports. The Dominican Republic, Cuba, Japan and Australia have good players in these sports.

The World Championships just don't have the number of viewers the Olympics does.

[Riff Magnum]

Originally Posted by marzetta7

Obviously she was exagerating, but the point remains. There are probably hundreds of thousands, if not millions of people playing softball or baseball around the nation and world that look forward to playing their sport of choice some day in the olympics, only for it to be buried by an IOC president and a committee that is overwhelmingly European that deems the sport too American. I wonder what outrage would insue if the commitee had a more balanced committee representation and had Cricket taken out.

Also, I disagree that mlb baseball players could care less. I know a few personally who wish they could, but are blocked by legalities that the MLB have in place. In addition, you have the whole Olympics occuring during the MLB season...what is the MLB to do? Stop the season, and have star players that might be in the middle of a playoff race, go over to the Olympics. I can definately see problems there.

Also, from other articles I read Baseball and Softball had very good numbers in terms of attendance and interest.

I just think it is a shame. Baseball is a great sport.

With those who don't give a damn about baseball, I can only sympathize. I do not resent them. I am even willing to concede that many of them are physically clean, good to their mothers and in favor of world peace. But while the game is on, I can't think of anything to say to them. ~Art Hill

"Baseball is dull only to dull minds." - Red Barber

I see great things in baseball. It's our game - the American game. It will take our people out-of-doors, fill them with oxygen, give them a larger physical stoicism. Tend to relieve us from being a nervous, dyspeptic set. Repair these losses, and be a blessing to us. ~Walt Whitman

England and America should scrap cricket and baseball and come up with a new game that they both can play. Like baseball, for example. ~Robert Benchley

Those quotes are awesome. Pure baseball lovers are getting few and far between these days. Baseball is without a doubt the greatest game ever conceived, with maybe the exception of chess. You are now my cyberfriend and i salute you.

[dialog_gvf]

Originally Posted by marzetta7

I just think the logic is ridiculous. If the sport was too American, then what about Ice Hockey for the winter olympics...is that too Canadian...or European and therefore should be thrown out? Or how about Curling? Too Scottish? Cricket? Too British?

I just can't believe it...hope they get these two sports reinstated.

Curling is a recent addition (2002 I believe). Hockey is the premier team sport at the Winter Games, so I would think it is safe.

The issue is the number of participatory countries. Baseball/softball is North + Latin America, Japan, Taiwan and .... ummm.

Why no cricket? That is a huge sport around the world.

Consider the cost of building temporary facilities if the the host nation isn't interested in the game.

Gary

(Canadian women won their opening softball game 6-1 over Chinese Tapei. Winning pitcher was Lauren Bay Regula, sister of the Boston Red Sox player Jason Bay. Everyone is going to get creamed by the USA).

[marzetta7]

Originally Posted by dialog_gvf

Curling is a recent addition (2002 I believe). Hockey is the premier team sport at the Winter Games, so I would think it is safe.

I don't doubt it is safe. I simply mentioned it as it originated in Canada (some argue Europe), but you don't hear the IOC saying that sport is too Canadian or too European.

The issue is the number of participatory countries. Baseball/softball is North + Latin America, Japan, Taiwan and .... ummm.

There are 16 different countries participating in baseball, and that number would only grow as more and more countries catch the feva...like more cowbell. Anyhow, you can see all 16 here...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basebal...ummer_Olympics

...so I don't think the issue is the number of participatory countries. I'm of the opinion that it is simply the IOC pissed that the MLB isn't sending the likes of A-Rod, Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, Josh Hamilton, Johan Santana, Rich Harden, etc. over to competen on the international stage.

Why no cricket? That is a huge sport around the world.

Again, no reason, I simply mentioned it because it again originated in England, but the IOC isn't stating that it is too British.

Consider the cost of building temporary facilities if the the host nation isn't interested in the game.

I do. However, when there are 16 huge and various countries all wanting to play the game, you just don't cut it out and give the excuse..."it is too American." Besides, those temporary facilities can be utilized to start up the game of baseball in the host country and start to be a source of revenue as well as a training ground for a future team.

(Canadian women won their opening softball game 6-1 over Chinese Tapei. Winning pitcher was Lauren Bay Regula, sister of the Boston Red Sox player Jason Bay. Everyone is going to get creamed by the USA).

That very well may be, given that softball has been dominated by the USA. But does that mean basketball should be thrown out since we dominated it for how long? Regardless, I think a sport is a sport, regardless of where it originated from, so the premise that is too closely connected to one country or the other is not sufficient criteria for me to have it eliminated.

Just my opinion.

[marzetta7]

Originally Posted by Riff Magnum

Those quotes are awesome. Pure baseball lovers are getting few and far between these days. Baseball is without a doubt the greatest game ever conceived, with maybe the exception of chess. You are now my cyberfriend and i salute you.

Thanks! I grew up playing baseball all my life up through college and I agree, it is the greatest game evah! And you can tell I'm a true fan, as my favorite team is the Baltimore Orioles, and we've sucked ever since 97 when Armando Benitez decided to cough up a jack to Marquis Grissom to send us packing.

Ahh well, all is good, if we can only send Peter Angelos (lawyer owner of the Orioles) packing as well.

Cardinals are a good team too (I'm assuming you're a Cards fan given your Avatar)--lots of history with Musial, Brock, McGwire, and now Pujols (sent Brad Lidge packing and rattled to the Phils sayin, "Talk to me Goose!")

Anyhow, good to see another baseball fan in the mix here!

[LORDs_angellos]

Originally Posted by marzetta7

And Handball, Badminton, and Cricket are so exciting.

ROFL! Kudos for your sarcasm dude.