Random thought, but when you think about how similar soccer (football), handball, water polo, field hockey, and basketball and then volleyball, table tennis, tennis, and badminton are in terms of the shape of the field of play and the aim of the game, it really is a shame that baseball is being eliminated from the competitions. It stands alone from the other hitting and throwing a ball sports.
Disclaimer: While baseball happens to be the only sport I personally watch on any regular basis, that’s not what’s behind my comment. Just ask Fidel.
i think i heard it while watching women’s gymnastics. they took a break and started talking about other stuff for a while and something was mentioned. it was while watching the olympics though. i think i heard the reporter people right.
I believe the reason is that baseball is not a large enough sport in enough countries for it to have olympic appeal. The US does dominate because baseball is huge here and not so big most other places.
Hmmm, seems like there may be some other country in mind: Cuba Explodes into Baseball Finals. I’m just glad Fidel got to see one last Olympics with baseball.
cuba is a HUGE baseball country. they are really good too. i think there are only a few countries that have any competition at all. same with softball.
Actually the reason it stands alone was one of the reasons cited for cutting it.
"Several IOC members also cited high stadium costs associated with both sports, saying baseball and softball venues have little post-games use in some host cities. "
Perhaps that and a lack of countries who participate and are contenders. When were baseball/softball added? Anyone know? Was it for an American Olympics?
Do you really believe the Baseball is that similar to those sports? Other then the fact that they use a ball? Soccer is the most popular sport in the world, almost every county on the planet plays it. Baseball isn’t nearly that big. I don’t know why baseball isn’t an Olympic event anymore, but Baseball is certainly not much like any of the sports you listed.