Baseball and softball are out of the Olympics as of 2012, in a vote that surprised even longtime International Olympic Committee members.
"There were a lot of people that said they supported us and obviously didn't," said Don Porter, president of the International Softball Federation.
Baseball joined the Olympics in 1992 and softball in 1996.
Friday's secret vote reflected a heavy European influence of the IOC, which claims a near majority of European members. The popularity of baseball and softball are limited primarily to the Americas, Canada and Asia. Both sports were founded in the U.S.
Baseball also suffers from its failure to reach an agreement with Major League Baseball that would send the top players to the Olympics. "The problem is not only one problem," said Aldo Notari, head of the International Baseball Federation. "The problem is we need further development in the world."
Porter, who said he was devastated, has been concerned all along that members linked baseball and softball too closely.
The other 26 sports were retained.
"I think they've made a big, big mistake," said Tommy Lasorda, the former Dodgers manager who managed the U.S. to its only gold medal, at the Sydney Games in 2000.
"Baseball is played by all countries now and softball, too. I think that's really going to hurt the Olympics. I don't want to knock the other sports, but I think this is a big mistake. I am very disappointed.
"I was fortunate enough to coach the U.S. Olympic team in Australia. The parks were full at all times. How can they take away a sport like that?"
Baseball became a medal sport in 1992, with the U.S. finishing out of the money. Four years later, the Americans won a bronze medal before Lasorda's team won it all in 2000. Last year, the U.S. never got out of regional qualifying as Canada and Cuba represented North America in Athens.
Softball, on the other hand, has been the USA's property since it hit the Olympic calendar in 1996. American women have won all three available gold medals and their 2004 victory capped a 79-game winning streak in international play.
The IOC will consider replacing them with two sports from a waiting list of five: Golf, rugby, squash, karate and roller sports. That decision will be made Saturday.
Baseball and softball, which will remain on the program for the 2008 Beijing Games, are the first sports cut from the Olympics since polo in 1936.
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