Comments on: Baseball is trying to get back into the Olympics http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/10/15/baseball-is-trying-to-get-back-into-the-olympics/ Baseball. Baseball. And then a bit more baseball. Sat, 18 May 2013 18:26:16 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: historiophiliac http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/10/15/baseball-is-trying-to-get-back-into-the-olympics/comment-page-1/#comment-384056 Tue, 16 Oct 2012 02:10:44 +0000 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=237095#comment-384056 And up-and-comers from other countries.

Also, thanks for the history lesson. bahahahahaha

]]> By: raysfan1 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/10/15/baseball-is-trying-to-get-back-into-the-olympics/comment-page-1/#comment-384041 Tue, 16 Oct 2012 01:23:53 +0000 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=237095#comment-384041 Incorrect. In 4 Olympics, 4 countries earned medals. The USA earned 3 gold medals and one silver. The other country that won a medal in all 4 was Australia (1 silver and 3 bronze). China won a silver in Atlanta. Japan won the other gold as well as a silver and a bronze. Canada won none.

In the softball World Cup the US dominates as well followed by Japan and Australia. Canada, China, and the Netherlands have all at least made the semis.

There are actually rules about how many countries have to play a sport before it is eligible for consideration for the Olympics. Softball meets that criteria.

]]> By: raysfan1 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/10/15/baseball-is-trying-to-get-back-into-the-olympics/comment-page-1/#comment-384032 Tue, 16 Oct 2012 01:11:16 +0000 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=237095#comment-384032 Blacksables–your background is all correct, and articulates what I referring to when I said they got lumped together. They have different governing bodies but the IOC doesn’t care.

]]> By: nothanksimdriving123 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/10/15/baseball-is-trying-to-get-back-into-the-olympics/comment-page-1/#comment-383981 Mon, 15 Oct 2012 23:11:05 +0000 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=237095#comment-383981 historio: That once upon a time was back when pretty much only wealthy people could afford to participate in amateur sports beyond high school. Middle and working class had to pay the rent, which is why most of the top pro sports stars of the early to mid-20th century were working class. Pre-WWII and the GI Bill, upper class kids went to college and could afford to train for the amateur Olympic sports.

]]> By: historiophiliac http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/10/15/baseball-is-trying-to-get-back-into-the-olympics/comment-page-1/#comment-383971 Mon, 15 Oct 2012 22:51:50 +0000 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=237095#comment-383971 synchronized swimming

]]> By: historiophiliac http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/10/15/baseball-is-trying-to-get-back-into-the-olympics/comment-page-1/#comment-383968 Mon, 15 Oct 2012 22:48:43 +0000 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=237095#comment-383968 Once upon a time, it was to showcase the best amateur talent…

]]> By: Francisco (FC) http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/10/15/baseball-is-trying-to-get-back-into-the-olympics/comment-page-1/#comment-383946 Mon, 15 Oct 2012 21:53:23 +0000 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=237095#comment-383946 Soccer was part of the Olympics BEFORE there was a World Cup.

]]> By: Francisco (FC) http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/10/15/baseball-is-trying-to-get-back-into-the-olympics/comment-page-1/#comment-383945 Mon, 15 Oct 2012 21:50:34 +0000 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=237095#comment-383945 Based on that reasoning there shouldn’t be any World Cups.

]]> By: stlouis1baseball http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/10/15/baseball-is-trying-to-get-back-into-the-olympics/comment-page-1/#comment-383914 Mon, 15 Oct 2012 20:59:18 +0000 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=237095#comment-383914 I hear you Idaho. I kind of like Nate’s take on it.
Separately: Thank you for your the other day in regards to the Bud Selig/replay article.
There wasn’t a reply button to click on so I couldn’t respond directly to you.
Anywho…once again…thanks. It is always nice to hear opposing viewpoints.
It makes things a lot easier to appreciate and/or understand.
Qualification: Not that I agree/buy it (the Business Owners part anyway).
But I sincerely appreciate it nonetheless.

]]> By: gammagammahey http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/10/15/baseball-is-trying-to-get-back-into-the-olympics/comment-page-1/#comment-383911 Mon, 15 Oct 2012 20:56:40 +0000 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=237095#comment-383911 You haven’t paid attention to the WBC at all if you think that AAA prospects would destroy Japan (or Korea for that matter).

]]> By: stlouis1baseball http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/10/15/baseball-is-trying-to-get-back-into-the-olympics/comment-page-1/#comment-383910 Mon, 15 Oct 2012 20:55:14 +0000 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=237095#comment-383910 Interesting take Nate. I kind of like it. Sooo…no baseball, no basketball, no hockey and no soccer.
What’s left? As far as team sports? Gymnastics? Seriously…what’s left (from a team sport stanpoint)?

]]> By: nothanksimdriving123 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/10/15/baseball-is-trying-to-get-back-into-the-olympics/comment-page-1/#comment-383898 Mon, 15 Oct 2012 20:43:28 +0000 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=237095#comment-383898 paperlions: “Other sports”???? What the hell does that mean? The first modern Olympics (1896) had 9 sports. Are you saying they should ditch all the sports added since then?

]]> By: nothanksimdriving123 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/10/15/baseball-is-trying-to-get-back-into-the-olympics/comment-page-1/#comment-383888 Mon, 15 Oct 2012 20:36:49 +0000 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=237095#comment-383888 Indeed, let’s see the world’s very best compete for their homelands!

]]> By: nothanksimdriving123 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/10/15/baseball-is-trying-to-get-back-into-the-olympics/comment-page-1/#comment-383885 Mon, 15 Oct 2012 20:33:22 +0000 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=237095#comment-383885 I’d only care to see it back in if MLB’s very best were in it. Otherwise it’s just a lame tournament. The Olympics are supposed to showcase a sport’s very best. Imagine limiting the T&F or swimming competition to only the second best athletes. It wouldn’t be the Olympics.

]]> By: Jeremy T http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/10/15/baseball-is-trying-to-get-back-into-the-olympics/comment-page-1/#comment-383835 Mon, 15 Oct 2012 19:51:13 +0000 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=237095#comment-383835 Japan has won the first two WBCs, so I don’t think we guarantee a US victory if major leaguers are allowed to participate.

]]> By: paperlions http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/10/15/baseball-is-trying-to-get-back-into-the-olympics/comment-page-1/#comment-383825 Mon, 15 Oct 2012 19:43:31 +0000 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=237095#comment-383825 Exactly….the Olympics is where the word narrative thrives….because there are compelling narratives all over the place….people training for years to get their one shot, often at great personal sacrifice.

Olympic sports during the Olympics = awesome

Other sports taking part in the Olympics = lame

]]> By: phipfwe76 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/10/15/baseball-is-trying-to-get-back-into-the-olympics/comment-page-1/#comment-383808 Mon, 15 Oct 2012 19:32:48 +0000 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=237095#comment-383808 How is that different from table tennis?

Baseball deserves to be there. It’s played in a hell of a lot of places, and that’s what the Olympics are aiming for. If the MLB players can’t make it, so be it. Hockey hasn’t always had the pros.

]]> By: 13arod http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/10/15/baseball-is-trying-to-get-back-into-the-olympics/comment-page-1/#comment-383759 Mon, 15 Oct 2012 18:45:44 +0000 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=237095#comment-383759 we need baseball back in the olympics

]]> By: mdpickles http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/10/15/baseball-is-trying-to-get-back-into-the-olympics/comment-page-1/#comment-383748 Mon, 15 Oct 2012 18:37:47 +0000 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=237095#comment-383748 I don’t agree with this. The Olympics told baseball to piss off. MLB then created the WBC. What’s wrong with WBC every 4 years? It should be held between Nov>Dec. as to not mess with Spring Training like the last one (if in North America, there are enough indoor fields to make this happen, or Florida). Instead of the Arizona Fall League, send Triple AAA prospects from around the world to participate. This would be a great way to exposed to near-MLB talent in a meaningful setting. We don’t need Derek Jeter and Matt Cain destroying Japanese talent.

]]> By: Innocent Bystander http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/10/15/baseball-is-trying-to-get-back-into-the-olympics/comment-page-1/#comment-383740 Mon, 15 Oct 2012 18:27:17 +0000 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=237095#comment-383740 Damn straight. You don’t care about swimming or gymnastics for 47 months and then all of a sudden feel vested in Ryan Lochte or Gabby Douglas because NBC tells you who to root for. It’s all hype and marketing. They sell you a story to watch for and you buy in.

Funny to use the word “parochial” when the whole point of the Olympics is to pit nation vs nation.

]]> By: blacksables http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/10/15/baseball-is-trying-to-get-back-into-the-olympics/comment-page-1/#comment-383716 Mon, 15 Oct 2012 18:14:08 +0000 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=237095#comment-383716 raysfan1, good points. I was typing while you were posting.

One thing, however, Soccer is played in the winter and the Olympics are in the summer. Soccer isn’t part of the Olympics because FIFA doesn’t want the pros playing and doing anything to interfere with the World Cup. Plus, a lot of qualifying is done in the summer, starting the year of the Olympics.

]]> By: blacksables http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/10/15/baseball-is-trying-to-get-back-into-the-olympics/comment-page-1/#comment-383708 Mon, 15 Oct 2012 18:08:58 +0000 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=237095#comment-383708 Actually, softball plead their case separtely from baseball (for the reasons you stated) and still got booted.

The Olympic committes consider them to be the male/female equivelent of the same sport, such as baseketball, hockey, soccer, etc.

Therefore, they are lumped together, even though by the nature of the sport, they are not the same.

So, sadly, to get softball back in, it probably means baseball will have to go back in, and the baseball powers that be are working with them to do that. Remember, MLB is not international baseball, nor is it US baseball. Seperate entities that have nothing to do with each other.

For those of you who feel MLB is the only baseball, rest assured that major league players will not participate. As least not as long as the Gestapo, excuse me, WADA, is insisting that they take over drug testing.

Won’t happen, which most likely means no baseball. Who cares. But sadly, that means no softball.

]]> By: blacksables http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/10/15/baseball-is-trying-to-get-back-into-the-olympics/comment-page-1/#comment-383698 Mon, 15 Oct 2012 18:02:48 +0000 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=237095#comment-383698 The world stage.

]]> By: raysfan1 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/10/15/baseball-is-trying-to-get-back-into-the-olympics/comment-page-1/#comment-383696 Mon, 15 Oct 2012 18:01:40 +0000 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=237095#comment-383696 Softball gets lumped in with baseball even though the IOC’s issues with baseball do not apply to softball–ie the best players (ie MLB players) do not participate and PEDs. MLB does of course now have testing and punishment for PED use, so that obstacle is no longer insurmountable. The best professional soccer players don’t go to the Olympics either, and the tournament is during their season too. The work around for soccer is the Olympics is a tournament for ages 21 and under. If baseball is willing to do that, I bet the IOC would go along then.

]]> By: makeham98 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/10/15/baseball-is-trying-to-get-back-into-the-olympics/comment-page-1/#comment-383688 Mon, 15 Oct 2012 17:59:09 +0000 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=237095#comment-383688 Softball was dropped because outside of the us and canada, there’s minimal talent worldwide.

]]> By: IdahoMariner http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/10/15/baseball-is-trying-to-get-back-into-the-olympics/comment-page-1/#comment-383669 Mon, 15 Oct 2012 17:46:57 +0000 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=237095#comment-383669 I never understood why they eliminated softball and would like to see it back in the games….but I have no interest in seeing MLB players in the Olympics. Much like I refuse to watch nba players in the Olympics. It just seems…stupid and pointless.

]]> By: hconnor2001 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/10/15/baseball-is-trying-to-get-back-into-the-olympics/comment-page-1/#comment-383668 Mon, 15 Oct 2012 17:46:48 +0000 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=237095#comment-383668 +10000

cf. golf, tennis, football

Pretty stunned by the parochialism of some of the earlier comments.

The Olympics are overrated?!!!11!!1!

]]> By: chill1184 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/10/15/baseball-is-trying-to-get-back-into-the-olympics/comment-page-1/#comment-383663 Mon, 15 Oct 2012 17:41:23 +0000 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=237095#comment-383663 Eh, I like the World Baseball Classic. Keep it seperate

]]> By: nategearhart http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/10/15/baseball-is-trying-to-get-back-into-the-olympics/comment-page-1/#comment-383656 Mon, 15 Oct 2012 17:37:01 +0000 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=237095#comment-383656 Personally, I think that if an Olympic medal wouldn’t be the highest achievement in the sport, that sport shouldn’t be in the Olympics.

]]> By: Jeremy T http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/10/15/baseball-is-trying-to-get-back-into-the-olympics/comment-page-1/#comment-383655 Mon, 15 Oct 2012 17:36:46 +0000 http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=237095#comment-383655 If they somehow manage to pull this off (which is incredibly unlikely, since it’d come in the middle of the MLB season), wouldn’t it make the WBC kind of redundant? What’s the point of this?

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