Baseball and Softball secure spots in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games: a triumph inspiring the new generations

The confirmation came after the vote by IOC Members during the Mumbai session, reinstating baseball and softball in the upcoming Olympic Games.

Expressing his delight at the news, WBSC Europe President Kruno Karin extended gratitude to the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) for their concerted efforts in collaboration with the IOC and LA28 to reinstate baseball and softball in the Olympic lineup.

Karin stated: "Not only will baseball and softball captivate millions of fans during the Olympic Games, but the inclusion of these sports will also serve as a catalyst for the Olympic dream, motivating and inspiring our entire community."

This community extends beyond the boundaries of athletes and fans. It involves coaches, umpires, officials, scorers, leaders, and numerous other stakeholders who contribute to baseball and softball.

WBSC President Riccardo Fraccari said: "Baseball has been in the Olympics six times and softball five times and their inclusion in LA28 will excite athletes and fans across the US and around the world, inspiring a new generation of boys and girls to chase Olympic glory."
The full statement can be found here.

In fact, the return of baseball and softball to the Olympic stage promises to inspire a new generation of athletes. The inclusion of these sports encourages the next wave of talent.

For baseball, this will mark its seventh appearance in the Olympic Games, having made its debut at the Barcelona 1992 Games. Softball, on the other hand, will feature for the sixth time, with its inaugural appearance at the Atlanta 1996 Games.

The most recent edition of the Olympic Games in Tokyo 2020 witnessed captivating baseball and softball finals, with Japan emerging victorious over the USA in both disciplines.

This return to the grand stage of the Olympics has been met with enthusiasm by the global baseball and softball community.

Cover photo by Grega Valancic