USA Softball preparing for Olympic vote on inclusion in 2020

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – As the Women’s College World Series draws to a close, USA Softball officials believe a bigger stage for the sport is on the horizon.

The International Olympic Committee will vote before the Rio Games in August on whether to include baseball and softball on the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.

Softball has not been played at the Games since 2008 and won’t be in Rio. But U.S. officials, including coach Ken Eriksen, are optimistic that the sport will be included in 2020. The IOC recommended the inclusion of baseball-softball last week.

A positive vote would result in USOC funding and reintroduce softball as an Olympic sport, a critical selling point in drawing sponsorships.