Baseball And Softball Sign Agreement

An agreement has been signed between the international baseball and softball federations on a joint bid for the two federations to be reinstated into the Olympic Games, and on a proposal on a shortened tournament in the hopes it will attract major league baseball players.

The Associated Press reports the two federations announced a memorandum of understanding (MOU) Monday to move ahead with a proposed merger, to be overseen by an eight-member joint committee.

Baseball and softball were voted off the Olympic program in 2005, and last appeared at the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympic Games. The federations are bidding to be reinstated for the 2020 Games.

The two sports are preparing a presentation to the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) Olympic Program Commission in December. The merger still needs the approval from the IBAF and ISF congresses.

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