Wednesday’s column from CBS Chicago …
(CBS) Since the Olympics kicked off last Friday with its “Lord of the Dance meets Lord of the Rings” extravaganza, I’ve watched my fair share of these Tape-Delay Games.
And, thus far, I’ve seen archers and badminton players. I’ve seen athletes (athletes?) playing ping-pong and jaunting about on horses. I’ve even seen this curious phenomenon that is synchronized diving.
But I haven’t seen anyone playing baseball. Or softball.
And I won’t. And that’s a shame.
On July 7, 2005, the International Olympic Committee – boasting a heavy European influence – voted baseball out of the London Games, making the sport the first to be banished from the Olympics since polo in 1936.
Although it’s never been officially declared, the prevailing belief is that the IOC decided to bench baseball because of the sport’s sluggishness in adopting a drug-testing program – something that is now in place. And, unfortunately, because of its apparent similarities to baseball – nine players, three strikes and whatnot – softball also found itself on the outside looking into the 2012 Games.
Continue reading at CBSChicago.com …