Why is baseball and softball getting dropped and is there any future for them in the olympics?

Question

Why is baseball and softball getting dropped and is there any future for them in the olympics?

Answer 1

Because America traditionally dominates both sports, and the other countries are tired of that domination. I think it is somewhat influenced by the falling regard of America on the world stage, too.

Answer 2

not enough participation.......

Answer 3

There aren't many countries who actually play baseball and softball, therefore that is less competition. Which means whatever country is good at the sport basically gets a easy ride to Gold.

Answer 4

Did you know that baseball and softball are only recent sports in the Olympics, largely due to USA hosting the games twice within a few years of one another.

Baseball became a full medal sport at the 1992 Barcelona Games.

Softball became a full medal sport at the 1996 Atlanta Games.

I heard a television commentator say, one of the problems the IOC has with these events is the refusal of the countries with Major Leagues to send their top athletes to the Olympics when their home seasons are running at the same time. The commentator also said there was a problem with drug taking among baseball athletes.

Another reason is that the IOC member countries who took a vote on this issue just don't believe it is a sport that holds interest for the majority of countries in the world, outside those who play it.

It does appear from an outsider's point of view that there are some political reasons as why these sports have been dropped.

There is the possibility that these events will get reinstated in 2016. I'd rather see softball stay rather than BMX bike riding.

Answer 5

Not enough countries play the game.They need to get rid of basket ball too.