Baseball, softball still have chance to remain in Olympics

TURIN, Italy – If baseball and women’s softball are to be a part of the Summer Olympics in 2012, they’ll have to rally at these Winter Games.

Seven months after they were voted off the Olympic program, the sports could get a second chance from the International Olympic Committee when members consider possible reinstatement during their annual session next week on the eve of the Turin Olympics.

“I’m optimistic,” International Softball Federation president Don Porter told the AP. “Everyone I’ve talked to is very supportive at least to come back and give us an opportunity for another shot. That’s all we’re asking for.”

The IOC executive board begins two days of meetings today, with reports from Turin organizers on final preparations for the games, which start Friday. Any reconsideration of baseball and softball’s future will come at the three-day IOC general assembly starting Wednesday.

The meeting is the last chance for the sports to make it back in time for the London Games in 2012. They remain on the program for the 2008 Beijing Games.

Baseball has been an Olympic sport since 1992, while softball debuted in 1996.