off base

You may have heard that baseball and softball have been dropped from the Olympics, beginning with the 2012 Games. I was surprised by this, and disappointed, although more so about softball. The Olympics is a great stage for women's sports, and softball is a great women's game.

This morning I noticed an op-ed by former Commissioner of Major League Baseball Fay Vincent, and thought I might post it. Then I read this line...
We Americans have long endured being punished for our wealth and our might and this may be yet another example.
...and thought better of it. Any examples of this punishment, Mr. Vincent? Did someone snub you when you spoke overly loud English in Paris? Did you read a nasty letter to the editor in the Guardian? What a terrible punishment that must have been. My my, how the rich and powerful suffer.

Vincent asks Fearless Leader to intervene with the International Olympic Committee on baseball's behalf. I don't suppose he sees the irony in that. Don't get what you want? Pressure them! After all, we're the U-S-A! (But oh, the punishments we endure...)

Meanwhile, MLB plans to launch the World Baseball Classic, a round-robin tournament, in 2006. This sounds better than the Olympics, because it's all baseball! I don't love competitions between countries, and the inevitable flag-waving that follows. But it's great fun to see different styles of play, players you've never heard of, and to see international crowds get into the sport. And anyway, baseball = good, so more baseball = better.

All Star Game tonight. ¡Viva la Liga Americana!

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