Cap tip Blair Setford.
By Steve Buffery, QMI Agency
GUADALAJARA, MEXICO – The atmosphere at the women’s softball finals on Sunday afternoon was maravilloso.
The weather was perfect, not a cloud in the sky, warm, but breezy, and no humidity. The Mexican fans were spirted and cheered loudly for the Canadians when they played the U.S. in the gold medal final.
The medal ceremony featured just the right amount of pomp, with a colourful mariachi band serenading the crowd, while a crack unit from the Mexican Air Force, decked out smartly in their formal dress, marched out with the medals. Even the Pan Am Games mascots, whatever cute little animals they’re supposed to represent, waddled into the act, dancing with some of the players on the infield.
And all three teams — the U.S., Canada and Cuba — appeared duly satisfied with their placement.
The Americans spanked Canada 11-1 in the grand final to win the gold in a game that went only four innings because of the mercy rule, relegating Canada to silver. Prior to that game, Canada beat Cuba, 4-0, in a contest noted more for what went on inside the Cuban dugout than on the field. Throughout the game, the Cuban players pounded on drums and rattles. They never let up, no matter who was at bat or on the field. Whether that broke any Pan Am Games rules (and surely it must have) nobody seemed to care, including the Canadian players.
But behind all the smiles and good-will was a underlying sense of melancholy and loss.
In past Pan Am Games, the completion of the final in women’s softball brought with it the promise that the sport would be showcased on even a bigger stage the year after, at the Olympic Games.
But no more. In 2005, the International Olympic Committee voted to drop women’s softball from the Olympic program (and baseball for men) and there will be no women’s softball at the 2012 London Olympics — the first time since the 1992 Barcelona Games the sport won’t be represented at the Olympics. So while the players were all smiles after Sunday’s medal ceremony, that joy was tempered somewhat when the topic of the Olympics was brought forward.
“It definitely stings,” said Team Canada catcher Kaleigh Rafter, who hit a monster home run to left-centre in the fourth inning against Cuba. “It kind of sucks now knowing that there is no Olympics anymore.”
Women’s softball is definitely out for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics as well, and while the International Softball Federation is pushing for the sport to be reintroduced for the 2020 Games, none of the players are holding their breath.
Rafter, a four-year veteran of Team Canada who played at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, said she feels bad for her young teammates, who may never get the chance to compete at the showcase event of amateur sport.
“It would be great for the sport if it did get back in,” said the Guelph native. “I’ve had that experience, but they were four years too young and they’ll never have the chance to have that experience.”
Women’s softball isn’t the most global game in the world, in fact there are only handful of countries that play at the highest level, including Canada. But the game is still arguably more international in scope than some other Olympic sports, such as modern pentathlon (admit it, you’ve never heard of anyone who plays modern pentathlon). But for whatever reason, the IOC decided that women’s softball is not Olympics-worthy.
The ISF has taken steps to keep the sport relevant and ensure that the game continues to grow internationally. One way was to host the world championships every two years, instead of every four, which was the case in the past. The next worlds will be held next year in, of all places, Whitehorse, Yukon, July 13-22. Click here to continue reading and to see photos.
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