Softball, which will make its return to the Olympics in 2028, will see a parallel to its inaugural appearance in the 1996 Games. Back then, softball was hosted in Columbus, Ga., approximately 100 miles from the main site in Atlanta. However, in 2028, softball will be staged in Oklahoma City, a 1,300-mile journey from Los Angeles, the host city. This significant two-time zone jump has left some Olympic athletes and coaches feeling hesitant about the altered experience.
Nicole Mendes, an Oklahoma softball alumna who competed in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics with Mexico, expressed her sadness for the softball athletes. She believes that although the games will be good and the fans in OKC will be great, it won’t be the same Olympic experience that is so special and rare.
Los Angeles has hosted the Olympics twice before, in 1932 and 1984, but softball was not included in those games. Softball was a staple of the Summer Olympics from 1996 to 2008 but was only played again in the 2020 Tokyo Games due to the pandemic. Unfortunately, softball will not be included in this summer’s Paris Olympics.
LA28 organizers unveiled an updated venue plan last month, which included softball being held in Oklahoma City’s Devon Park, home of the Women’s College World Series. The decision to stage softball outside the host city aligns with the International Olympic Committee’s Olympic Agenda 2020+5, which encourages the use of existing or temporary venues. The organizers believe that Devon Park, with its recent $27.5 million renovation and capacity expansion to 13,000, is the perfect venue for an international tournament of that caliber.
While many in the softball community dub Devon Park as “the mecca of softball,” there are concerns about the athletes missing out on certain experiences. Ken Eriksen, a longtime Team USA assistant coach, expressed disappointment that the athletes won’t get to experience the Olympic Village and the other unique aspects of the games. However, he acknowledges that once the competition starts, it’s about the games and winning medals.
The decision to move softball to Oklahoma City has sparked mixed reactions. Natasha Watley, a two-time U.S. Olympian, worries that softball might become “out of sight, out of mind.” She believes that it is crucial to prioritize the athletes’ experience and ensure that softball remains a significant part of the Olympic movement. LA28 has stated its commitment to providing a memorable Olympic experience for softball athletes, including the opportunity to attend and experience the opening ceremony.
While Oklahoma City has become a hub for elite softball, with UCLA being the winningest softball program in Division I, there is disappointment among some in the softball community that the sport wasn’t considered good enough to have a return on investment in Southern California. An LA28 spokesperson explained that after assessing multiple venues, hosting the sport locally would require costly temporary builds or retrofitting existing baseball stadiums, which would compromise the athlete and fan experience.
The 2028 Olympics will mark the first time in Olympic history that no new permanent venues will be built to host events. While some may argue that existing venues in Los Angeles, such as Dodger Stadium or Angel Stadium, could have been used for softball, Laura Berg, a Team USA assistant coach and four-time Olympic medalist, emphasizes that the important thing is being in the Olympics and making it the best possible experience for the athletes.
The Atlanta Games in 1996 were not the only time an Olympic event was held outside of the host city. Portions of the basketball tournaments at this summer’s Paris Games will be played 100 miles away in Lille, and surfing will be held in Tahiti. Olympic soccer is played in various cities around the host country. While there are benefits to being in the Olympic Village, some athletes believe that being isolated and solely focused on winning gold can enhance their performance.
For softball to earn staying power on the world’s biggest stage, there are suggestions to separate the sport from baseball and establish its own identity. By doing so, softball can attract the best players in the world and create a truly phenomenal tournament. This separation could increase the chances of softball remaining in future Olympics beyond 2028.
In conclusion, while there are concerns about the altered Olympic experience for softball athletes due to its relocation to Oklahoma City, the focus remains on providing a memorable and successful tournament. The decision to use existing venues and separate softball from baseball is seen as a step in the right direction for the sport’s future on the Olympic stage.