Why is 2008 the last year the Olympics will have softball and baseball in the sports competitions?

Question

not that I'm a fan of either sport ;)

bonus question: who composed the olympic music for the closing ceremony?

Answer 1

What comfort eagle said.

Baseball and softball aren't relevant as world sports. Most countries simply don't play them. And there is a movement in the IOC to rationalize the Olympics which have been adding events for the past 70 odd years and the costs of hosting are spiraling out of control.

Personally I think they could afford to dump half the swimming and track programs as there are so many similar events, but that wouldn't help drive down costs which is what it's about at the end of the day.

Answer 2

Lack of global interest, mostly.

Baseball can't use professionals like NBA players; US-employed MLB players would never be released for a three week break in the middle of the season.  And the IOC has said without Major Leaguers, no Olympic baseball.

Softball has a severe competitive imbalance that doesn't lend itself to being a formal Olympic sport.

Answer 3

because 2012 would be too late.  no need for stupid baseball in Olympics. the MLB never wanted to play olympics.

Answer 4

There are two reasons Baseball (and softball) are being eliminated from The Games. First, each game takes TOO long for the two-week format. You can play two soccer games in the span of nine innings. The other is that the one-game-elimination format doesn't work in Baseball - you need AT LEAST a best of three series.

To answer the implied question, "Why didn't the US win..?", MLB will not allow Big Leaguers to play, nor does it want an "Olympic Break" right at the peak of the season. So, only Minor leaguers are available, and, of those, onyl ones that are not brought up to the Majors with the expansion of the roster that happens right about now. So, only secodn-rate AAA, AA A and Rookie-Ballers are available to the US.