Softball Makes Its Way Into The 2021 Summer Olympic Games

The game of softball is back and better than ever!! It is official, back in 2016 the International Olympic Committee (IOC) voted unanimously to get the game of softball back into the summer Olympics. The game of softball had been fighting for a countless number of years trying to build up the popularity of the game to have the sport implanted back into the Summer Olympics Games. When the day finally arrived, the softball fan base across the world exploded with excitement. The growing sport is finally getting the chance to shine again on the highest stage imaginable. According to nfca.org, “The organizing committee for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics proposed the new sports in 2015 in response to the new flexibility provided by Olympic agenda 2020, the ICO’s strategic roadmap for the future of the Olympic movement, to encourage innovation in the Olympic program. Olympic Agenda 2020 gives host cities the option to suggesting new sports and events for inclusion in their edition of the games.” The edition of softball to the Summer Olympic Games will boost popularity significantly in Japan and will help promote gender equality equaling male and female sports. Although the Summer Olympic Games were supposed to be help this summer, with the recent worldwide outbreak of the COVID-19 or better known as the corona virus, many sporting events and teams have been postponed or cancelled for the remainder of the year. One team in particular who was greatly affected by this event is the United States of America (USA) Olympic softball team. The USA softball roster consist of 15 players and 3 replacement players. They are coached by head coach, Ken Eriksen. The 2020 Summer Olympics Games were supposed to be played in Tokyo this year, held on July 24 through August 9. The USA softball team has had a lasting impact in the Olympics. According to nfca.org, “In four Olympic Games appearances, the USA Softball Women’s National Team claimed three gold medals (1996,2000,2004) and one runner-up finish to Japan in 2008, while setting numerous international records and are one of only two women’s sports involved in the Olympic movement to capture three consecutive gold medals.” In the 2004 Summer Olympics Games USA broke 16 records, including 8 of their own records previously set according to nfca.org. On the current roster for the USA softball team include two remaining Olympians, Cat Osterman and Monica Abbott, the other 13 are first time Olympian contestants. With that being said, the USA softball team along with all other countries participating in the Summer Olympics Games will get the chance to play. Officials from NBCSports.com have stated that they moved the games back and set the new date for the Summer Olympic Games to be held on July 23 through August 8, 2021. The countries that will be competing for softball at the 2021 games include the United States of America (5^th appearance), Japan (5^th appearance), Italy (3^rd appearance), Mexico (1^st appearance), Canada (5^th appearance), and Australia (5^th appearance). The USA qualified at the 2018 WBSC Softball World Championship, Japan was automatically qualified since they are the host nation of the Olympics, Italy won the WBSC Softball Europe/Africa Qualification Championship, Mexico won the WBSC Softball Americas Qualification Championship, Canada won the WBSC Softball Americas Qualification, and Australia won the WBSC Softball Asia/Oceanic Qualification. Going into the 2021 Summer Olympic Games rankings include USA at No. 1, Japan at No. 2, Canada coming in at No. 3, Mexico No. 5, Australia No. 7, and Italy No. 9. All six countries will be traveling to Tokyo to fight, compete, and all efforts to try and win the gold medal for their country.