America’s past time voted out of the Olympic games

Softball was invented in 1887 By George HancockOn Thanksgiving DayIn Chicago

Softball9 players on the fieldPitchers 43ft (college/Olympic)Bases 60 ft apart7 innings

Baseball was invented in 1845By Alexander CartwrightSimilar to English game “Rounders”In New York

Baseball9 players on the fieldPitchers throw from 60 ft 6 inchesBases are 90ft apart9 innings

America’s SportsBaseball is known as America’s

Favorite Past TimeSoftball is known as America’s Game

Olympic BaseballFirst appeared in 1904 as an unofficial debut

Became an official sport in 1992

Olympic SoftballFirst appeared in 1996U.S.A won gold all but once

July 8, 2005IOC dropped softball and baseball

First sports to be dropped since 1936

Reasons?!?!Ant-AmericanismMajor League Baseball not freeing

up playersTeam USA (softball) too dominate

Justification to keepTeam Cuba has won gold in baseball 3 timesTeam USA upset by JapanSoftball is a growing sport

Why to keep softballRanked 14 out 28 sports127 countries have softball leaguesThere is no Major League softballThe Olympics are the “BIG LEAGUE”

Cont.USA Softball had tried expand the game,

sending equipment to developing countries.

Quotes“We're not like basketball or other sports that

have other professional opportunities. We thrive on our place in the Olympics.” Lisa Fernandez

The End?2008 final game 5 distinguished players left

cleats on the field to signify retiring.

Team U.S.A Veterans

HOPETEAM U.S.A and TEAM Japan 2008