Baseball America
Author: Baseball Bob
Is it true that they took baseball and softball out of the olympics cuz america was too good?
I know that baseball and softball were taken out of the olympics but is it true that it’s because America was too good?
It was because of lack of support in Europe. Both sports are popular in North America and Asia, but not Europe. The IOC seems to care more about Europe, especially with the summer Olympics, than anywhere else.
Another huge reason for baseball being taken out was steroids and because Major League Baseball wouldn’t let its players have two weeks off to compete (like the NHL does for hockey). Because baseball and softball got put into the Olympics together, they got removed together too. Many, myself included, think softball got screwed because of baseball’s downfalls. I always loved having baseball in the Olympics because I got to see the top players from Cuba, Japan and Korea. But, now with the World Classic and more players from overseas playing in the US, it isn’t as special anyway.
I think that golf and rugby are better sports for the Olympics anyway. They have a huge world wide following, especially in Europe and South Africa, where baseball and softball didn’t have any following. Having the likes of Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy in the Olympics can’t be a bad thing.
BTW, while the US is great in softball, Japan, Korea and Cuba have dominated baseball of late. Even at the World Classics with the pros Japan, Korea and Cuba have been the dominate nations. The US hasn’t made a World Classic or Olympic final since the 2000 Olympics in Sydney.
Taijuan Walker Pitching