Guest Author - Kari Livingston

The softball community was stunned when the International Olympic committee voted (by one vote!) to abolish softball from the 2012 Olympic Games. Fastpitch softball first became an Olympic sport in 1996, and thousands of young girls all over the world worked hard for the opportunity to represent their country at the highest level the sporting world offered.

While there won't be a softball event in London in 2012, Team USA and other international teams will still represent the sport at Beijing in 2008. The International Softball Association, the ASA and the U.S. Olympic Committee have all been working hard to convince the IOC that fastpitch softball enjoys international support.

The International Softball Federation has introduced the “Back Softball” campaign, aimed at securing the reinstatement of softball by the 2016 Olympics. Right now there are 128 National Softball Federations in the world. The ISF hopes to increase that number to 150 by October 1, 2009. The ISF is also trying to increase the world-wide participation in the sport to 10.5 million women by the same day. Once that goal is achieved, the ISF will push for another 25% increase before the 2016 games.

Softball's heavy hitters have gotten on board with Back Softball, but the heart and soul of the push to restore softball to Olympic glory lies with the girls who hope to play for the gold. One of the best-known activists in 13 year old Jamie Gray of Florida. Her online petition has gathered over 4000 signatures and has been featured in the national media, but Jamie isn't the only one to start a petition.
Patrick Healey has posted a petition to reinstate softball for the 2012 Olympics. While it's a long shot, Healey's petition has gathered over 62,000 signatures.

Players, parents and fans the world over have an emotional stake on the outcome of the IOC's decision. To help convince them that softball is a valid sport and deserves a spot in the 2016 Olympics, sign every petition you can find, write letters to the IOC, and most importantly play the game or attend live events. It is the presence of athletes and fans that will eventually win over the hearts and minds of the people on the IOC. Little girls have big dreams, and they deserve a chance to play.