A lot of people consider it to be the greatest show on earth. The Olympic Games, both summer and winter, are multi-billion dollar extravaganzas that feature the best athletes in the world and receive extensive media coverage.
Dreaming of Olympic success is something many kids do. They imagine getting a gold medal and hearing their national song. But what about the baseball players?
From its humble beginnings in the early 20th century to its controversial departure from the Olympics, baseball has left an indelible mark on both international competition and our hearts.
Baseball players who are pros don’t usually get this chance. Unlike NBA and NHL players, MLB players don’t go to the Olympics. Why? We’ll explain this in this article.
History of Baseball in the Olympics
Baseball and the Olympics have a long history that dates back to 1904, when baseball made its debut as a “demonstration sport.”
The Olympic Committee uses this title to designate to sports that have not been formally included in the Games but that the Olympic Committee expects would garner spectator interest.
The inaugural tournament was held in St. Louis, Missouri, with six teams contending for gold. This was the start of what appeared to be a fruitful collaboration between baseball and the Olympics.
Baseball has continued to appear in many Olympic games over the years, with countries such as Cuba dominating the competition.
Professional players were not allowed to compete in the Olympics until 1992, adding even more excitement and talent to the game. The bad news was that MLB players were not permitted.
Despite the Olympic Committee’s decision in 2000 to allow professional baseball players to compete, MLB did not release its players until 2008.
Baseball was dropped from the Olympic schedule in 2012 after appearing in five consecutive Summer Games from 1992 to 2008. This decision was made because of budgetary and logistical concerns highlighted by several International Olympic Committee (IOC) members.
Despite efforts by different organizations and individuals, including Major League Baseball (MLB), to bring baseball back, softball has since supplanted baseball as an official Olympic sport.
Baseball’s absence from recent Olympics editions has left many fans upset and wondering why such a popular sport is no longer a part of one of the world’s most prominent athletic events.
Read More: The Field of Dreams: The History of Baseball
Is Baseball in The Olympics
Baseball returned to the Olympic Games in 2020 after a lengthy absence. It was included in Japan’s Tokyo Olympics. However, aside from die-hard baseball fans, this return was welcomed with little enthusiasm.
Because many of the top players were in the midst of their professional seasons, the US baseball team, which is from the country with Major League Baseball, had fewer top players available. Baseball will not compete in the Summer Olympics in 2024 since it is not on the schedule for the Paris Olympic Games in France.
Why Was Baseball Removed From The Olympics?
Baseball, formerly a popular Olympic sport, was dropped following the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Many factors contributed to its elimination, including decreasing worldwide interest and concerns over the availability of great players.
Baseball’s withdrawal was motivated in part by its poor appeal outside of a few countries. Baseball has struggled to establish traction in many regions of the world, in contrast to sports like soccer or basketball, which have extensive international appeal. Because of the paucity of worldwide participation, it was difficult to justify retaining it in the Olympic program.
Another reason was the lack of Major League Baseball (MLB) players competing in Olympic events. owing to schedule issues and contractual responsibilities with their teams, top-tier athletes were unable to compete owing to the time of the Games.
Because the Olympics take place in the middle of the MLB season, the major league players do not participate. Unlike the NHL, which takes a two-week vacation to allow players to compete for their respective countries, MLB does not.
That is why Olympic baseball has traditionally been reserved for amateur players. Major League Baseball attempted to change its views even after the IOC’s ruling. However, they were advised in 2006 that their plea had been denied. The IOC voted again in 2009 and opted to exclude baseball from the 2016 Olympics as well.
Reasons for MLB players not participating in the Olympics
Scheduling Struggles
When the Olympics roll around every four years, they span from July to August. The snag here is that this period coincides with a crucial phase of the MLB season. Specifically, late July and early August mark the commencement of the second half of the season and, more significantly, the MLB trade deadline for player transfers, typically falling within the initial week of August.
This scheduling conflict raises concerns among MLB stakeholders. The absence of top baseball talents for extended periods during this pivotal time isn’t a favorable prospect for MLB owners and leadership.
Safety of the Players
While Olympic baseball poses no more inherent danger than regular baseball games, there’s a stark reality to consider. Imagine being the owner of an MLB team and having your star player, who rakes in a whopping $40 million per season, sustain an injury while competing in an Olympic match.
The crux of the issue lies in the fact that the Olympics don’t impact the course of the MLB season. Consequently, team owners are not willing to gamble on the potential risk of sending elite players to the Summer Olympics.
Alternatives on the International Stage
Beyond the Olympic arena, professional baseball players have alternatives to exhibit their skills on the international stage. The World Baseball Classic and the Under-23 Baseball World Cup stand out among these options.
While both platforms offer avenues for showcasing talent, it’s the World Baseball Classic that garners more favor among professional players. Noteworthy names such as Derek Jeter, Ken Griffey Jr., Ichiro Suzuki, Yoenis Cespedes, Yadier Molina, Javy Baez, Francisco Lindor, Carlos Correa, and Christian Yelich have graced the World Baseball Classic in the past.
Read More: Top 10 Baseball Tournaments
Logistical Challenges
Coordinating the participation of MLB players in the Olympics involves complex logistics. With players representing different MLB teams and potentially different countries, arranging their travel, accommodation, and schedules during the MLB season can be a logistical nightmare.
The logistics of ensuring a seamless transition between Olympic competition and MLB commitments further complicate the possibility of MLB players joining the Olympic roster.
Mismatched Seasons
Another hurdle to MLB players’ participation in the Olympics lies in the seasonal misalignment. Baseball leagues in various countries, including MLB, follow different schedules.
Some leagues have their peak seasons during the same time as the Olympics, making it challenging for players to balance their professional commitments and Olympic aspirations. This misalignment affects players’ availability and raises concerns about fatigue and performance as they navigate a packed schedule with little time for recovery between high-stakes games.
How MLB Players Could Engage in the Olympics
Many people ask why NBA players join the Olympics, but MLB players don’t. The biggest problem is the schedule. NBA finals end in July, while baseball is ongoing. But there could be more to it. Let’s find out.
Thinking about how MLB players could take part in the Olympics, let’s look at an example from basketball. In 1992, NBA players joined the Olympics. Before that, the US usually won, but they lost in 1988. So, for the 1992 Olympics, famous players like Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and Larry Bird were sent to change things.
Baseball in the US has also faced Olympic losses, like not making it to the 2004 Olympics. But unlike basketball, baseball didn’t respond as strongly. This could be why the NBA talks more openly with the Olympic Committee than MLB does.
Sometimes, experts help decide what to do in these situations. Maybe the answer is changing schedules, getting insurance for injuries outside of MLB, or better teamwork. We still need to figure it out.
Looking at how the NBA dealt with Olympic challenges might give MLB some ideas. They could also work on finding ways to let their players shine in the Olympics, just like basketball players do.
One potential solution is to adjust the Olympic schedule to accommodate MLB’s regular season. By aligning these two major events, it would be easier for players and teams to participate without disrupting their commitments to their respective clubs.
Additionally, negotiations between MLB and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) could lead to an agreement that allows selected individuals or teams from Major League Baseball franchises to compete under specific conditions during the Games.
How the Olympics Are Affected by MLB Players Not Joining
The absence of Major League Baseball (MLB) players in the Olympic Games has significantly impacted both the sport and the global event. The Olympics thrive on showcasing the world’s best athletes, and without baseball stars from MLB participating, it feels incomplete.
Not having top-tier baseball players compete diminishes the overall level of competition in the Olympics.
The absence of MLB players impacts television ratings and revenue streams associated with broadcasting rights. Networks rely on star power to attract viewership; without marquee players involved in Olympic baseball competitions, such as Japan’s Shohei Ohtani or USA’s Mike Trout—television networks face challenges enticing audiences who may opt out of watching less recognizable names compete.
On the other hand, Olympic basketball on TV gets lots of viewers, and maybe baseball could do the same. But since international players aren’t seen much, and there aren’t big famous players, fewer people watch. This made fewer players and viewers join in.
So, the Olympic Committee took out baseball from the 2024 Paris Games. But people believe that because baseball is liked in the US, it might come back in 2028 for the Olympics in Los Angeles. We don’t want to miss moments like this:
Do MLB fans and athletes want to see Baseball in the Olympics?
Certainly, many big-name MLB players, like those from Japan and other countries that halt their regular leagues for this tournament every four years, wish they could be there.
Bryce Harper, the National League MVP in 2021, for example, came up against it.
“You want to grow the sport, but you won’t let us join the Olympics because you don’t want to lose money for two weeks?” he remarked. That makes no sense.”
And it is an important point. This is why:
Baseball may gain international prominence as a result of the Olympics. With MLB players in the mix, the game might become even more entertaining. When participants from different countries compete, it increases the game’s global appeal.
Additionally, fans like watching their favorite athletes perform at various stages. Allowing MLB players to compete in the Olympics might be beneficial to both the game and the spectators.
Other sports, such as basketball, send their best players to the Olympics as well. This raises the grade of the event and gives spectators a reason to tune in. Baseball may follow suit to boost its Olympic position.
Yes, there is a strong desire among MLB fans and players for baseball to compete in the Olympics. It’s a chance to broaden the sport’s appeal, thrill fans, and acknowledge talent on a worldwide scale.
FAQs
1. Will baseball be included in the upcoming Olympics?
Baseball and softball will not be included in the Summer Olympics in Paris, France, in 2024. We still don’t know if they will return for the Summer Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028.
2. Is there any hope of seeing full-strength MLB teams competing in future Olympics?
Due to several considerations, such as schedule issues and varied goals among parties concerned, it remains unclear whether full-strength MLB teams would ever participate directly in future Olympic games like before.
3. Will baseball be part of the 2024 Paris Summer Olympic Games?
No, it’s official that Baseball won’t be a part of the 2024 Paris Summer Olympic Games.
4. Who won the gold medal in baseball in the 2020 Olympics?
In the 2020 Tokyo Olympics (which took place in 2021 due to the pandemic), Japan secured the gold medal in baseball. The Japanese team triumphed over the United States in the final match, clinching victory with a score of 2-0.
5. Are there age restrictions for Olympic baseball players?
No, there is no specific age limit for taking part in the Olympics. Therefore, baseball players of any age can take part in the Olympics.
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Hello everyone. My name is Jason Butler, and I live in California, America. I was a professional AAA Minor League Baseball player. I lost my chance of playing MLB for injury issues, but I did not lose my love for baseball. I attended the coaching training program and am now working as a coach in a small school in San Diego.
I always love to share my experience and knowledge if that can help you. Play baseball, and stay fit.