Baseball and softball are back! Following an announcement on October 16th, it was announced that softball and baseball would be making an Olympic return in the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympics. This is huge considering the amount of talent the world has seen in other tournaments like the World Baseball Classic or the NCAA’s College Women’s College World Series. The big question is, though, what does this entail?
BASEBALL: Flashback to February, it’s the finals of the World Baseball Classic (WBC) finals and two of the greatest players in history are facing off against each other. Mike Trout (team USA), arguably one of the best baseball players ever, is in the batter’s box against his MLB teammate and friend Shohei Ohtani (team Japan), the two way phenom who is breaking records left and right. Team USA is down to their final out and is down by one run. Ohtani deals the pitch as Trout, on his final strike, swings and misses. The stadium erupts in cheers as Japan is crowned victor as the best baseball team in the world. As the world of baseball turned off the TV the majority of them could not help but feel sad knowing that they would have to wait until 2026 for another classic, but with this news, fans will not have to wait as long to see the best of the best face off against each other. The 2023 WBC not only showed off which country was the best, but how much the fans loved to support their country, whether that be tuning in from home or flying to Loan Depot Park to watch a game. Now picture a WBC on the Olympic stage, so many more people along with the fans from the WBC all coming together for the love of baseball. This level of excitement is exactly what the Olympics signed up for, and it was a really smart move. Jack Martin, ‘27 said that “It is an excellent idea and it will be a lot of fun [to watch]” showing the excitement of the fans. A big question is, though, will the MLB let its players skip the month of August to go play? August is arguably the most important month of the baseball season, so will teams let their players go? If they do they run the risk of losing a potential playoff spot, but if they don’t then there is a chance that the world’s superstars do not show up and there is a chance that baseball will not return for the 2024 Olympics. Sophomore Andrew Tropp thinks that, “They should try to set up a longer all star break, so that it lines up with the Olympics, to allow players to play for their country”. Overall, baseball in the Olympics will have the energy, but it will either flop or fly, but that is in the hands of the MLB.
SOFTBALL: Just like baseball, softball will be making its Olympic return in the 2028 Summer Olympic games. The 2028 games will mark the sixth time Softball will be an Olympic sport. Unlike baseball though, there is not much one can do after college, softball wise, but this changes everything. This addition to the Olympics will allow for the best of the best to excel beyond their D1 school and get to play for their country. This provides opportunities since more of these players will be able to do something more with the sport they love, rather than stepping down to a coaching position or quitting altogether. Gracie Mongno, class of 2027 says that, “I’m glad that softball players can continue to carry out their passion of playing softball, especially in the Olympics!” While researching for this article, There are so many clips and highlights of the NCAA College Softball World Series, and wow, the amount of skill these athletes have is incredible. This allows for the Olympic community to be truly excited to watch the Olympics as the stakes are much higher, as one is not playing for their school, they are playing for their country. On this topic, Mongno also says “If I’m not busy I will definitely try to watch it!” showing the intense excitement around the 2028 Olympics. Just like baseball, there is a pretty big question about whether or not these graduated college players will be willing to upturn their lives to return to play softball after all these years in retirement. For example, one player may have been really good in college, but also in economics, so they decided to continue on their educational path after college and would be giving up a lot to go play in the Olympics. On this topic, freshman Mia Bong says, “I think that lots of potential Olympic softball players would stop what they are doing to train for the Olympics, but I think that others won’t…people may be having a very successful time in other fields, that don’t include softball at all.” It is hard to say what players might do, but there will always be lots of younger talent going out for the team. Since the Olympics would be at the end of the summer, the majority of college players will most likely be able to participate and make it back in time for the first semester to start. These college players are incredibly athletic, driving the ball over the fence or pitching at blazing fast velocities both with ease. In the end, whatever combination of players there are, expect to see incredible athleticism and skill along with a heavy dose of excitement.
