(ATR) The decision on whether Major League Baseball (MLB) players will be participating in the Olympics at the Tokyo Games is still being determined.
MLB Players Association (MLBPA) head Tony Clark says that the players and the league have met and will continue to meet to work on solving a scheduling conflict, according to an AP report.
The Tokyo Games, which take place July 24 - Aug. 9, would interrupt the baseball season which runs from April to October.
For that reason, active MLB players have never participated in the Olympics but MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred tells MLB.comthat it is still to early to comment on the league's participation in the 2020 Games.
"With respect to Tokyo and the Olympics, we have yet to have a description from the federation or the Olympic committee as to exactly what they envision for baseball in 2020. Absent that description, a detailed description, how many games, how many days, how many players, I'm just not in a position to tell you what this issue will take" says Manfred.
The World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) had no comment when reached by Around the Rings.
In Dec. 2016 the WBSC told ATR additional Tokyo 2020 venues as well as confirmation of the Olympic baseball and softball qualification method would be determined this year.
The Yokohama stadium has been named the main venue to host baseball/softball games. The WBSC wants a second venue and is looking at two existing baseball stadiums -- Chiba Marine Stadium and the Seibu Lions Dome -- as options. The IOC and Tokyo 2020 organizers have yet to agree to add another venue.
Baseball/softball will be making its first Olympics appearance since 2008. The sports were dropped from the Olympic program shortly after the Beijing Games. In August of last year, baseball/softball, karate, sport climbing, surfing and skateboarding were added to the program for Tokyo 2020.
Written by Courtney Colquitt
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