WPCNR PRESS BOX. July 19, 2005: A local fastpitch softball mentor has forwarded an online petition that calls for putting softball back in the Olympics. This egregious slap in the face to women all over the world who play softball is the latest indication that the Olympics is run by an international group who have anything but the best interests of  women at heart.

Their interest in sportsmanship is a joke (witness the figure skating and gynnastics judging of late), and to throw out both baseball and softball in one stroke simply because America wins them (my opinion) is petulant. No rational explanation was given for softball being thrown out, let alone baseball.

Frankly, America should NOT send a team to the Olympics in any sport. Let the IOC see what the Olympics would draw then without American participation, American sponsorship, and American television network audiences. Of course, it may be a blessing in disguise. USA Softball and the National Pro Fastpitch League can cooperate to build a professional league together, if the college coaches let them. Anyway, if you would like to see softball back in the Olympics, WPCNR invites you to go to this site: