Seven Sports for 2016 Olympics: Baseball

Seven sports are campaigning to join the Olympic program for the 2016 Games, each presenting their case next week to the IOC Executive Board in Lausanne.

Baseball, golf, karate, roller sports, rugby, softball and squash are the candidates.

In this installment of our series on each of the sports, International Baseball Federation President Harvey Schiller talks about baseball and the Olympics.

Why is the time right for baseball to return to the Olympics?

Harvey Schiller: Since we just had a great event in Beijing, we don't think baseball has really left the Olympic Movement, and we continue to emulate all the Olympic ideals in everything we do, from global growth and grassroots work to one of the largest and most comprehensive drug testing programs in sport.

The game of baseball is growing at the fastest rate ever for both men and women, and in many ways as we move forward together in the future, the benefits will accrue to both baseball and the Olympic Movement.

Baseball's global year-round presence makes it the only global sport not on the 2012 program, and with the bid cities for 2016 all baseball-ready, it is a natural fit. All four countries involved in the 2016 have elite programs in place, and have already enjoyed success in baseball.

Why are the Olympics important for baseball?

HS: There is no sport that has shown that it is all-inclusive, affordable for all and a game that transcends boundaries more than baseball. Baseball and the Olympic Movement can move together into a bright future. Baseball's emphasis on youth development, global growth and fair competition reflect the Olympic ideals. Remember baseball is the sport that broke the color barrier in team sports over 60 years ago! Baseball can be an addition to Paralympic competitions as it is played by the disabled, blind, and wheelchair-bound throughout the world.

What is the contribution baseball makes to the Olympic Games?

HS: We are one of only a handful of sports that are played and talked about in the media in most of the world year-round. We are a sport for all, with no racial or social boundaries. We present a huge marketing platform for the Olympics for the next seven years through the exposure professional baseball receives in most of the world.

It is a simple game...a bat and a ball. Had baseball remained on the program for 2012, it would have been a wonderful addition to the Olympic youth program, and if we are selected, we will work to help make 2010 and beyond as successful as possible. It is one of the few sports played by men and women and boys and girls from age 4 through adulthood.

We also become a very strong revenue source for the Games in terms of ticket sales in each of the four bid cities. Baseball provides a supportive platform for marketing, sponsorship and licensing and is a sport that is at the forefront of electronic media distribution. Literally billions of fans follow the sport through digital technology.

We are also a sport that has taken a very strong stance on anti-doping, and were recently cited by WADA for the outstanding contributions we have made in upgrading and maintaining a testing program which works and can be mirrored by all.

What is your unique selling point over your rivals?

HS: First, we are not concerned about talking or lobbying against other sports. Baseball's effort to do everything the International Olympic Committee has asked us to do to return in 2016 stands on its own, as does all the visibility and grassroots efforts we are making.

The sport has a huge media and marketing presence, is affordable and inclusive of all, has ready-to-use venues in each of the cities which will have continued use after the Games are done.

It is also a proven financial and athletic success as part of the Olympic program for 12 Olympics both as a medal and demonstration sport, which should offer comfort in these uncertain financial times.

What has the campaign been like?

HS: It has been a great team effort and we have worked hard speaking to people and rallying support. At the end of the day baseball will benefit from this experience because the growth and the exposure the sport is getting globally now is unparalleled in its history.

We have elected not to waste resources on highly-paid consultants. We have concentrated our efforts on having the game and those who play it tell the story and invest our funds there.

Are you planning to ramp up your campaigning in the time leading up to the Berlin Executive Board meeting in August, and if so, what can we expect?

HS: We do not see the need to ramp up, as we have built in, year-round high exposure global platforms already in place. We will be conducting our World Cup competition this September at European sites including Amsterdam, Prague, Barcelona, Moscow, Ostrava, Sundbyberg and Rome. In addition, high-level competitions continue from Little League to the major leagues incorporating our 130 member federations. All interested will continue to see the great value and interest there is in the sport, and that value and interest will continue to grow.

Baseball is already a part of the Olympic family and is a proven commodity and asset to the Olympic program. Our merits stand for themselves. We are a very consistent and innovative sport, and will continue to be so.

What have you done to make baseball interesting and suitable for the Olympics?

HS: First, the level of play among nations in international baseball is unique among team sports. In recent international competitions, Japan defeated the Olympic champions, Korea; Puerto Rico defeated the United States; China defeated Chinese Taipei; the Netherlands defeated the Dominican Republic; and Cuba was defeated before the medal round! The game of baseball insures that each participating nation has a chance to stand on the victory platform.

Second, we have addressed all the issues presented for re-instatement...

-a game-ending rule which is being used now in professional, amateur and collegiate baseball.

-WADA compliance that exceeded all guidelines put forth

-unmatched global media coverage, marketing and new media programs.

-the support by all professional leagues to have the best players involved.

-venues in every city that are already in place and will have continued use after the Games.

How much did drug scandals hurt you, and how much do you think they continue to taint people's view of baseball?

HS: First of all, doping is a global problem faced by every sport just as it remains a worldwide social problem. The fact that baseball's issues get such coverage is a testament to the interest in the game. The positive tests by some players not involved in Olympic or international competition proves the system works, and that has been documented by WADA in citing baseball for its outstanding efforts to improve its drug testing program.

It would be unfair to destroy the dreams of millions of young athletes around the globe who aspire to reach Olympic competition because of the errors of a few.

Baseball is a global leader in testing, and should be applauded for its efforts.

How do you assure the IOC that the top players will participate?

HS: We are presenting a plan with the support of all that we think will satisfy all questions.

How confident are you and do you think your chances have improved in recent months?

HS: I'm not going to speculate.

However I do know one thing. If baseball wasn't vying for the Olympic Games, it would be a sport the Olympics would probably seek to include because of its global impact, the revenue potential, its all-inclusive nature, its youth participation and its affordability.

Remember, baseball has been a part of the 12 previous Olympic Games.

The sport will continue to grow because of this effort, and regardless of the outcome we will be a great global sport that will always reflect the Olympic ideals.

Reported by Karen RosenFor general comments or questions, click here