Softball

[Thiele]

Top of the third

Australia 1

Japan 0

[JAS]

One of your girls (sorry didn't catch her name) has had a very lucky escape. Was up to bat and the ball hit her on the head...if it hadn't been for her own quick reaction...turning her head and starting to duck it would have hit her full in the face. Still looked very painful but she seems to be ok...checked by the coaches and she's smiling about it.

Regards
JAS

[Thiele]

One of your girls (sorry didn't catch her name) has had a very lucky escape. Was up to bat and the ball hit her on the head...if it hadn't been for her own quick reaction...turning her head and starting to duck it would have hit her full in the face. Still looked very painful but she seems to be ok...checked by the coaches and she's smiling about it.

Regards
JAS

very lucky saw it

[wycbloods]

One of your girls (sorry didn't catch her name) has had a very lucky escape. Was up to bat and the ball hit her on the head...if it hadn't been for her own quick reaction...turning her head and starting to duck it would have hit her full in the face. Still looked very painful but she seems to be ok...checked by the coaches and she's smiling about it.

Regards
JAS

Yeah it could've been a lot worse if not for that quick reaction.

[Thiele]

After 3 innings

Australia 1

Japan 0

[JAS]

I assume your tv coverage has finally started if you saw it too

Regards
JAS

[Thiele]

I assume your tv coverage has finally started if you saw it too

Regards
JAS

yep about time

[Thiele]

Homer run to Japan

Australia 1

Japan 2

after 4 innings

[gadj1976]

why isn't softball in the 2012 olympics?

They're saying that it's back in 2016, but not in '12. Does anyone know why?

[Thiele]

Australia 1

Japan 2

After 5 innings

[JAS]

why isn't softball in the 2012 olympics?

They're saying that it's back in 2016, but not in '12. Does anyone know why?

Probably not a lot of help but this was the last report on the BBC that I could find.
I think the reason it might be back in 2016 is because Chicago and Tokyo are two of the bidding cities and either without baseball/softball would be unthinkable.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_s ... 696902.stm

Olympic sports fail in appeal bid

Appeals to reinstate baseball and softball to the London 2012 Olympic Games programme have been rejected.

International Olympic Committee members voted 46-42 and 47-43 against baseball and softball respectively.

The decision means London organisers will save around £50m for two planned stadia in Regent's Park.

London 2012 organising committee chairman Lord Coe said: "We are neither disappointed nor pleased. Regent's Park will still host the road cycling."

Baseball and softball will make their last appearance as Olympic sports in Beijing in 2008.

The decision to exclude the sports from London had been made in July but met with resistance from the governing bodies concerned and some IOC members.

Despite Thursday's vote, Japan - bronze-medallists in both sports - pledged to maintain the fight to bring softball and baseball back into the Olympic fold.

"We will think about the way to break out of this tough situation," Japanese Olympic Committee president Tsunekazu Takeda said afterwards.

"I don't believe that the door is completely closed for the two sports."

The next time the two sports may have a chance to appeal for their comeback into the Olympic programme will be at the 2009 IOC Session in Copenhagen.

regards
JAS

[JAS]

Also this from 2004 http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/olympic ... 052597.stm
Sorry golf lovers but...GOLF feckn Olympic golf
Regards
JAS

...Over the last few Games several sports, which are not hugely popular globally, have been included in the Olympic programme, leading to suggestions that the likes of softball, baseball or even tennis should be axed.

IOC president Jacques Rogge reportedly believes baseball, modern pentathlon and softball in particular should not feature by the time of the 2008 Beijing Games.

The IOC held a special session on that issue last autumn, but officials unanimously decided to put off a decision until after the 2004 Games.

Although baseball has wide appeal in certain countries, the IOC has said its popularity is "not reflected throughout entire regions or continents".

Disciplines such as the walking events and canoe/kayak slalom, along with keelboat sailing and team synchronized swimming, may also be scrapped.

No sport has been dropped from the summer Games since polo in 1936.

Meanwhile, a serious debate is still ongoing as to whether new sports should be included in the Olympic programme.

Last year the IOC confirmed golf and rugby sevens are under consideration.

[Thiele]

After 6 innings

Australia 1

Japan 2

Australia must score this time round

[gadj1976]

Thanks Jas. I wondered why they'd dropped it but looking at it logically, if you have to build a purpose built stadium and then not utilise it post olympics....it makes more sense.

However, I would think that softball could do with the profile much more than GOLF!

I've got a problem with them saying "sports aren't popular". I thought there was a criteria for becoming a sport in the olympics? Shouldn't that determine whether something is popular? Netball is a prime example.

[Thiele]

Homer to Australia

Australia 2

Japan 2

[wycbloods]

great hit that one back in with a chance 2 all

[Thiele]

Homer to Australia

Australia 2

Japan 2

bottom of the 7th

[JK]

NO FREAKIN WAY ... My highlight of the games!!! (lol Ive watched buggerall Ill admit)

WOOHOO .. That was awesome

[Thiele]

I have the best caller of the Game Ray "I'am everywhere" Hadley

[Thiele]

Homer to Australia

Australia 2

Japan 2

1 out for Japan