Could Australia Challenge for Baseball Gold at the 2028 Olympic Games?
Could Australia Challenge for Baseball Gold at the 2028 Olympic Games?
The 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games will mark the return of baseball to the event's roster, continuing the intermittent relationship between the sport and the Olympics.
During the recent International Olympic Committee (IOC) meetings, Los Angeles proposed additional sports for the event, including baseball/softball, flag football, lacrosse, squash and cricket, all of which received approval.
This pattern reflects baseball's recurring involvement in the Olympics, which is often linked to the host country's history with the sport.
When the Olympics are hosted in a nation with a strong baseball tradition, such as Japan in 2020 or the United States in 2028, baseball makes a reappearance in the event.
The upcoming 2032 Olympics in Australia may witness a similar host-led addition, considering the country's baseball history.
One of the challenges baseball faces in gaining broader appeal for the Olympics is the fact that it's still a fairly regional sport.
It enjoys considerable popularity in the United States and other countries such as the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Cuba and Venezuela. It has also established a strong presence in Japan and South Korea.
However, baseball lacks widespread popularity in significant parts of the world, including Europe, Africa and the majority of South America.
This regional limitation is evident in tournaments like the World Baseball Classic (WBC), where the competition often finds it difficult to assemble more than 10 or 12 competitive teams.
Nonetheless, baseball's reintroduction in the 2028 Olympics has facilitated a surge in anticipation for the event, with discussions about potential contenders in various sports at a fever pitch.
The sport has captured global attention, and Australia's participation adds another layer of excitement to the event, with the nation keen to impress on the global stage.
While Australia has long been a powerhouse in sports such cricket and rugby, baseball has been gradually gaining prominence.
The time has come for Australia to leave an indelible mark on the global scene. Will they gobble up the chance? We assess the nation's chances of making a significant impact at the 2028 Olympics.
The resurgence of Australian Baseball
Australia's history in baseball has often taken a backseat to the country's dominance in other sports.
However, in recent years, Australian baseball has experienced a resurgence, marked by increased participation, grassroots development and international success.
One of the key drivers of this resurgence is the establishment and growth of the Australian Baseball League (ABL). Launched in 2010, the ABL has provided a platform for local talent to showcase their skills and compete at a high level.
The league's partnerships with Major League Baseball (MLB) organisations have facilitated talent exchange, exposing Australian players to top-tier competition and enhancing their professional development.
International Participation
Australia made its debut in baseball at the Summer Olympics in 1956, becoming the third nation to do so after the United States and Sweden.
Their inaugural appearance took place in Melbourne, with a subsequent demonstration at the 1988 Games in Seoul.
The sport gained medal status at the 1992 Barcelona Games, and Australia has participated in three of the five tournaments since then.
Australia’s most notable Olympic achievement in baseball occurred at the 2004 Athens Games, where they secured a silver medal after losing the final against Cuba.
The performance placed Australia in fifth position on the medal tally, level with Chinese Taipei.
Australia has also competed in all four editions of the World Baseball Classic (WBC). Despite their initial elimination with a 0–3 record in the 2013 WBC, Australia rebounded in the 2017 tournament, achieving its highest finish in ninth place.
Unlike many international baseball competitions, the WBC squads featured active MLB players, as well as those in Minor League, Nippon Professional Baseball and local leagues.
The 2023 edition of the WBC ended in quarter-final heartbreak for Australia as they succumbed to a 4-3 defeat to one of the sport’s powerhouse nations Cuba.
Despite the disappointment, there were plenty of positives for Australia to take, with their breakthrough into the knockout stage hailed as one of the finest achievements ever by an Australian baseball team, rivalling their silver medal at the 2004 Olympics.
2028 Olympics: Can Australia challenge for gold?
The prospect of baseball returning to the Olympic programme for the 2028 Games has ignited excitement within the Australian baseball community and online sports bettors.
Baseball was excluded from the Olympic line-up after the 2008 Beijing Games, but its reinstatement provides Australia with a golden opportunity to compete for Olympic glory.
Australia are 11th in the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) ranking and will be considered massive underdogs among the betting community.
However, punters familiar with wagering on other sports such as horse racing, cricket and rugby will know that upsets are a regular occurrence.
On that basis, bettors more used to using bonus bet promotions to wager on Australian horse racing may be tempted to back the country’s baseball team at the 2028 Games.
Australia's performance in the 2023 WBC suggests the nation could defy the odds and deliver an enticing payout to savvy baseball bettors.
