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Organizers to make another run for baseball in 2020 Olympics

Olympic RingsInternational organizing groups for baseball and softball are joining forces to bring the two sports back to the Olympic Games in 2020.

Baseball and softball were dropped from the Olympics after the 2008 games in Beijing. The relatively high expense of a venue and the lack of any big-name stars on the field were the main reasons for baseball being dropped by the International Olympic Committee; because the games land squarely in the midst of the season, MLB has not been a supporter of any Olympic efforts.

The new international federation, the International Baseball and Softball Federation, will seek to bring the sports back in 2020. Their competition for a single spot: karate, roller sports, sports climbing, squash, wakeboard and wushu.

“We feel if we can work together it might be much more possible to regain Olympic status,” International Softball Federation President Don Porter told Reuters. “Both our sports are trying to find things that will improve them. Become more attractive and interesting.”

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