Ho-hum Olympic softball ?

Every game has been televised

Every game involving the US team has been televised live. Most have been played at noon China time; midnight US time. Tonight the semi-final game will on CNBC. NBC is not going to show softball in prime time. Smart on their part since most of the games involving the US team are, effectively, over after we hit once. The game vs Japan may be different if Ueno is on her game but all-in-all the rest of the world just can't compete with our pitching.

 

I understand that. But IMO, what is sad, is the fact they are taking the sport out of the Olympics because the US is just too dominant. So, in effect, our girls suffer instead of putting it on the other countries to improve and learn to compete.

 

Olympics and softball

The competition issue only part of the problem. The vote excluding softball came down to single vote. Many countries who play neither softball or baseball tied the two together. Baseball was eliminated as retaliation against MLB for not sending it stars. Softball just sort of got drug down with it. The olympics are so screwed up one has to hold their nose to watch, anyway. How can anyone consider "Men's Synchronized Diving" a sport? How many times in all of human history have two men challenged to other men to a synchronized diving contest?

 

criteria

It should only be an Olympic sport if the Olympics is the pinnacle of that sport worldwide.

tennis - no, mens basketball - no, baseball - no

swimming -yes, track and field - yes, womens softball - yes

 

Men's Synchronized Diving - a BIG NO !!!!

 

OK

So you're definitely supporting the inclusion of Men's Synchronized Diving since it's clearly the pinnacle of that sport. . . . .

Kidding, sort of, as I do like the basic idea. However, the rest of the world would never let soccer go away despite the fact that the World Cup is the premier event.

 

Beach Vball: Sex sells

I suspect of softball were played in bikinis it would be televised in prime time although I'm not sure Bustos would make the team. Before I'm skewered let me say that I'm not seriously suggesting this just pointing out that television is driven by sponsor $$ and its clear that sponsors understand who they marketing to.

The fact is that if softball ever wants to be successful on a commercial level (think NPF) it has to market to the male audience ages 25-40. This is who watches sports in America. I suspect very few collegiate softballers have watched a single inning of the olympic team's games. In general, girls are not interested in watching other girls play games. Look at the WNBA (I can't). It only exists because financed by the NBA.

 

agree

DD4, I think you nailed it.

so successful D1 softball players in general don't have much real interest in following the USA Olympic team, which is the premier womens softball team in the world? maybe younger girls would likely to idolize them?

So how should womens fastpitch softball be marketed in order to attract that male audience ages 25-40?

 

Don't have a clue

If I did I'd be commissioner of the NPF. What is clear is that what's going on now is not working. It's obvious how beach volleyball 'markets' . . . skin. Have you noticed the dozen or so bikinied girls that make appearances during commercial breaks? Can't really see this working for softball.

I honestly think the game needs to change before it has any chance of attracting widespread interest. Just like soccer there simply isn't enough scoring. As a pitcher's Dad I like it this way but most people don't.

 

Olympic Softball

Softball tonite at midnight on CNBC
Softball semifinal: USA vs. Japan. The U.S. is seeking a fourth-consecutive Olympic title. Japan has earned medals at the past two Games.