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Could be farewell tour for Olympic softball
So what if Team USA defeated gritty but overmatched Robert Morris University 16-0 in six innings? This game wasn't about the score.
It's doubtful that anyone in the standing-room-only crowd of 4,132 - only 30 shy of the largest crowd to date on the 46-city tour - left the ballpark feeling swindled because it was a one-sided game. Maybe some of the thousands of fans who waited nearly an hour after the game for autographs, only to settle for pre-signed photos - Team USA had to leave the autograph session after 30 minutes to catch a flight - might have felt disappointed, but it was still a memorable and landmark night for sports in Washington County.
After all, how often do you see 12 Olympic gold medalists perform?
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You have to wonder, however, is the Olympic softball program going to be a one-hit wonder?
The International Olympic Committee voted in 2005 to eliminate softball and baseball, beginning with the 2012 Games in London.
In other words, this could be the Olympic team's Bound 4 Beijing and then Extinction tour.
"I was devastated by the decision," said Candrea, who guided Team USA to the gold medal in 2004 Athens Games barely one month after the death of his wife.
"I was blindsided. I felt like the sport was gaining momentum, going in the right direction. Television interest was starting to pick up. From all the information I had, it looked like we had enough votes to remain an Olympic sport."
For the record, the vote was 52-52 to cut softball. The sport needed a majority vote to stay. Baseball was bounced by a 54-50 margin.
There is a chance for softball and baseball to get another at-bat in 2016. Both sports are seeking reinstatement, but golf, squash, karate, seven-a-side rugby and roller sports are also being considered. The IOC says only two will be added.
The tour has given Candrea and his players an opportunity to sell softball as a viable Olympic sport - they've been campaigning harder than John McCain the last two months - but they were preaching to the choir on this night.
"I think the decision to drop softball as an Olympic sport is horrible," said Rachel Giovanniello, who was wearing a Team USA T-shirt while watching the team take batting practice. She drove to Washington from her home in Buffalo to watch the game.
"When I heard that softball was being dropped I was upset. As soon as I found out the Olympic team was touring, I said I had to go to one of the games. Washington was the closest for me. And look around at all the little girls here. Softball is a growing sport. How can they drop something like this?"
That's what Candrea is wondering. He's heard the decision was because his team has been too dominant - Americans have won all three gold medals in the sport's Olympic history.
"It hope that wasn't the reason," he said. "You can't hold that against us. The Olympic ideal is to strive for perfection, so we shouldn't be penalized for dominating. There have been a lot of other sports that have been dominated by other countries."
Candrea also has heard that cost was factor in the decision. It takes money to build baseball and softball stadiums for the Games.
"If that's the case, the solution is what you have right here," Candrea said pointing toward the infield. "I realize there's a big cost factor to build stadiums, but you could run baseball and softball in the same facility. You can run baseball at the beginning of the Games and then bring in softball. In Japan, all we do is play in baseball stadiums. Those are dirt infields, but you can play baseball on grass and then skin the infield for softball."
The IOC will decided softball's fate in 2009.
You have to wonder if this will be remembered as a farewell tour?
"I'm hoping it won't be," said Team USA second baseman Lovie Jung, a gold medalist in 2004 who is preparing to be a Los Angeles firefighter after the Beijing Games. "But right now, it's a sad situation."
Sports editor Chris Dugan can be reached at dugan@observer-reporter.com
