Why are they getting rid of baseball in the olympics? That is just so wrong. ?

Question

After all they play it in the Americas a lot and in Japan. I don't think they like the western Hemisphere.

Answer 1

In order for a sport or discipline to be in included in the Summer Olympics program (but not necessarily be contested at the Olympics), it must be widely practiced by men and women, in at least 75 and 50 countries, respectively, spread over four continents.

This explains synchronized diving and swimming.

What about dodgeball, or kickball?

Answer 2

Because not the whole world plays baseball and the olympics is all about the world.

Answer 3

not enough countrys play it

Answer 4

Several reasons:

1. Olympic sports usually are played by majority of the nations, however in the case of Baseball, only handful of nations play it. (US, Canada, Carribian nations, Japan, Korea, few European nations - mainly because it is included in the Olympic).

2. The best players in the world are not playing in the Olympic because the MLB will not suspend it's season to allow it's players to participate in the Olympic. - IOC wants their events to be the 1st rate event. Having only 2nd rate players competing in the Olympic event is not something they want.

3. Baseball's dominated by 4 nations among handful of nations that play it. US, Cuba, Japan, Korea. No fun watching same nation entering semi-finnals all the time. They want more competition.

Answer 5

only usa, caribbean countries, and japan play it lol

Answer 6

that and softball was Kicked Out due to worldwide appeal. no one plays it, its BORING, and to tell you the truth, no one cares about it.

and dont tell its because "usa will win...duh". because China dominates diving competitions, should they kick that out ? Brasil rules futebol, the best and most popular sport in the world, should that be out ? Jamaica rules Track and fieldl, should that be out ? you ran out of excuses, baseball sucks and its....OUTTA HERE !!! once and forever :D. itll clean up the olympics more, its gonna be better in 2012, trust me :)

Answer 7

Then why not get rid of basketball as well?  Too many pros in that sport anyway and the Americans seem to win most of the games.

So, it's either not enough countries play baseball and ticket sales are slumping, or because too many pros are playing the game.

Answer 8

I think it's mainly because the IOC is in disagreement with MLB since MLB refuses to suspend its regular season to allow its players to play in the Olympics.  Imagine having a 100m or 200m without Usain Bolt.  What's the point?  This is the IOC's argument, and until the best baseball players actually play in the Olympics, I think they're keeping it off.  There is the chance that it will be re-instated for 2016 though.

Answer 9

I think one reason why Baseball is off the olympic events is that it does not have enough popularity in the world like other sports. From what I know, I do not think any country in Europe plays baseball at all. Also there are no major league players in the olympic game. I watch baseball, but with no big names that I know playing in the olympic games, I would not even bother watching it. So that leads to a big drop in attendance. It's not wrong, it might seems unfair to countries that plays it, and those countries only. No other country cares.