The LA 2028 Organizing Committee has recommended five new sports for inclusion in the 2028 Olympics, pending approval from the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The proposed sports include baseball-softball, cricket, flag football, lacrosse, and squash. One of the most notable additions to this list is Fastpitch Softball, a decision that has sent waves of excitement throughout the global softball community. This recommendation marks a historic opportunity for the sport and its athletes, offering them a chance to shine on the world's biggest sporting stage.
🚨 #LA28 proposes 5⃣ new sports for the 2028 Olympic Sports Program -
⚾️Baseball/🥎Softball
🏏Cricket
🏈Flag Football
🥍Lacrosse
⚫️Squash
Official Statement: https://t.co/t6Yb06fVKs pic.twitter.com/P5qYhbolfY— LA28 (@LA28) October 9, 2023
Softball, an Olympic event for women only, made its Olympic debut in 1996 and continued until 2008. After being omitted from the program in 2012 and 2016, softball returned for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Despite its positive reception in Tokyo, we don’t expect to see it on the Olympic stage until Los Angeles in 2028. Its uncertain presence on the Olympic stage has affected funding and international opportunities for players.
The sport, distinct from baseball, follows specific rules, including underhand pitching, different field dimensions, and seven-inning games. The United States stands as the most decorated team in softball, having reached the final in all five Olympics and securing three gold medals. Japan, the reigning champions, have also made significant contributions to the sport's legacy.
The news was met with jubilation in Ireland, where the softball community celebrated the potential inclusion of the sport in the 2028 Olympics. The Irish Softball community has been working diligently to promote and develop the sport, hosting events like the Softball World Cup. The inclusion of softball in the Olympic program would undoubtedly inspire athletes and boost the sport's presence on the international stage. Dr. Melanie Cunningham, Director of Fastpitch Softball in Ireland, expressed her excitement, saying,
"The inclusion of softball in the Olympic program will inspire our athletes, encourage more young talent to take up the sport, and further solidify our presence in the international softball community."
Irish Softball welcome LA 2028 recommendation to include Softball & Baseball at the 2028 Games. https://t.co/K4QIdA51H0@WBSC @WBSCPresident @USASoftball @SportforBusines @RTEsport @offtheball @GameOn2FM
— Fastpitch Softball Ireland 🇮🇪☘️ (@IrishFPSoftball) October 9, 2023
This recommendation wouldn't have been possible without the relentless efforts of organizations like the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC). Their dedication to the re-inclusion of softball and baseball in the Olympic Games has paved the way for this exciting possibility. If it succeeds, we can hope that it will eventually establish itself as a main event on the Olympic schedule and earn the same recognition as other sports. While the final decision rests with the IOC, the prospect of softball's return to the Olympics is an acknowledgment of the sport's growth and the hard work of athletes worldwide, and a promising step toward a more inclusive and diverse sporting landscape.
