By Nico Espinola Posted June 9, 2016
Baseball is a sport played by many, not just in the United States but all over the world. It has become popular in Asian nations such as Japan and in Hispanic countries such as the Dominican Republic. It is played all over, yet it isn’t played in the Olympics.
Baseball officially became an Olympic sport for the 1992 Summer Olympics. Baseball was a part of the Olympics before then, but not officially until 1992. Baseball lasted until 2008, that summer it was played, but was voted out for the 2012 games. Softball also got ejected with baseball. This made baseball the first sport voted out of the Olympics since 1936. They also voted out wrestling but it was brought back.
Baseball was reportedly dropped for several reasons. First, is its lack of universal (read European) appeal. Second, MLB is unwilling to send the best major leaguers to the games. Finally, was baseball’s unwillingness to work with WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency). IOC head Jacques Rogge told MLB.com, “To be on the Olympic program is an issue where you need universality as much as possible. You need to have a sport with a following, you need to have the best players and you need to be in strict compliance with WADA.”
Has anyone noticed that the best soccer players in the world do not play in the Olympics? Participation is limited to players under 23 because of FIFA, yet soccer is still part of the games. WADA did a great job controlling PEDs at the Sochi Games where Russian athletes have been accused of systematic cheating. At least baseball has tightened its PED policies.
Some of the other sports that are in the Olympics are Ping-Pong, badminton, and even trampoline. These sports aren’t unpopular sports, but neither is baseball. Baseball is quite a popular sport bringing a total attendance of 781,438 in the 2013 World Baseball Classic. If baseball were to be in the Olympics it would surely bring a great number of fans. Can anyone argue the popularity of the Little League World Series which is world-wide?
Another reason to bring baseball back to the Olympics is that it is a great opportunity for players to make a name for themselves. Many players did this in the past and soon became Major League players. Some players who did this are Mark McGwire, Jason Giambi, Hideo Nomo, Stephen Strasburg, and R.A. Dickey.
All in all, baseball should be an Olympic sport. It may have a chance to be in the 2020 games, but that isn’t known yet. All baseball fans can do is hope that it returns as soon as possible, and that softball will come with it.
