From ASA’s Ron Radigonda:
I am happy to announce that the Pan American Sports Organization met
today in Jamaica and approved the reinstatement of Men’s Fast Pitch
Softball to the Pan Am Games to be played in Toronto, Canada in 2015.
Men’s Fast Pitch was last played in the Pan Am Games in Santo Domingo in 2003. Men’s Fast Pitch was removed from the Pan Am Games in 2007 and 2011. Luckily PASO awarded the 2015 Games to Toronto and the Toronto Organizing Committee has been working diligently to have Men’s Fast Pitch reinstated to the Pan Am Games since they were awarded the rights to host the event. I met members of the Organizing Committee nearly 3 years ago in Phoenix at a meeting of the USA NGB Executive Director and the inclusion of Men’s Fast Pitch was discussed at that time. From that first meeting the Organization Committee was behind the reinstatement and has worked hard on behalf of our sport. Softball Canada played a big part in the reinstatement of Men’s Fast Pitch to the Toronto Pan Am Games. Scott Blackmun, CEO of the United States Olympic Committee also backed our campaign and I am thankful for his support.
Needless to say 2015 will be a big year for Men’s Fast Pitch in the Americas as Toronto will host the Pan Am Games and Saskatoon, Canada will host the ISF Men’s World Championships.
Truly tremendous news for our sport. The powers to be in the Toronto Pan Am Games organizing committee, and Softball Canada, deserve first class recognition for not turning their back on a 125 year old sport, that has recently been kicked around by many entities. I would say “Today the Pan Am Games…Tomorrow the Olympics” but with the sad decision that the ISF made to form a new alliance with Men;s Baseball, to attempt to gain re-entry to the Olympic program, and ignore Men’s fastpitch, spelled the death knell for Men’s fastpitch chances for Olympic Games inclusion in future Olympiads.
I agree with you Dave but I would be very happy if the Womans part of Softball would be reinstated at the Olympics. Will make a big impact on funding when you are an Olympic sport in Canada
Terrific news for men’s fastpitch and kudos to the Toronto organizing committee, Softball Canada and all the others who played a role in this!
really great news,the Game is worthy!!
Greatest game in the world. Best skilled players and most exciting sport. Baseball takes a back seat to Fastpitch softball players.
That is great news to say the least! Our sport needed to have some more blood pumped back into it. Well maybe the Olympics might be off the menu. Perhaps the increased exposure would bring more ISC teams to the surface. This could possibly help along the idea of a pro league some day. A guy can always dream 🙂
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