Softball is no longer an Olympic Sport

The IOC announced this morning that softball and baseball have been removed as an Olympic sport in 2012.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/olympics/07/08/sports.dropped.ap/index.html

 

SAD.

 

Olympics get more esoteric all the time

No softball but synchronized swimming? How many people actually 'synchronize swim'? Just read where the IOC added a third form or wrestling for 2008 as a way to help the Chinese and Russians make up the 'medal gap' with the U.S. Perhaps the "Nature Boy" can win a gold.

 

they took baseball out also.. to bad.. i thought the majority of the countries played softball and alot played baseball.

 

this stinks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! they take away a true team sport and want to add squash??!!! i read the article and it said that after the games are done , there is no use for the stadiums!!! these same floks have a "" sport"" in the winter games that you use a broom and a huge hunk of something and you sweep the ice in front of the hunk of whatever it is!!!!! remind me in 2012 to skip watching the games all together!!!!:banginghe

 

DITTO.

 

WTF?!?!? And they allow that crap they call gymnastics, but its really only some girl running around with a ribbon, a ball, and a hoop.

 

Think about it! Fastpitch softball is too complicated for the olympics. It requires athletes who must have extremely quick reflexes, outstanding eye-hand coordination, proper strength and conditioning, and above average intelligence. Successful participants must go through years of training under the guidance of competent coaching.

The rules are very complicated. Heck, most umpires don't even know all the rules. How can anyone ever expect third world citizens to get excited about learning the game.

Providing facilities to play the game is logistically difficult for many countries. Look at what's required. Graded infields, manicured outfields, back stops and fences, bases set in the ground, field lights, etc. Its no wonder simpler games are more appealing to the third world. Games like soccer require only a pasture, a ball, and an hour glass to play.

Perhaps the USA's total dominance in last year's games contributed to softball's demise.

Fastpitch softball is a very sophisticated game. At this point in time it is obviously beyond the comprehenson of those who run the olympics. Its probably best that they stick to exciting games such as ping pong, badmitten, riflery, and the like.

 

two huge mistakes!

IOC has heard my thoughts on this.

 

First, welcome aboard! secondly.....i agree.