After softball was dropped from the Olympic Program in 2005, the BackSoftball campaign, a long with a 10-point blueprint, was created to develop the sport of softball internationally. The Task Force, Athlete Ambassadors, and other representative for the sport of softball have increased their efforts as the vote for its reinstatement draws closer.
In February, the ISF opened its office in Lausanne, Switzerland located at the a la Maison du Sport International. The ISF 
thought necessary to open headquarters in Europe where the sport of softball has been growing. ISF President Don Porter was recently in Lusanne addressing softball’s almost 30 year doping-free record in international competition. According to Porter, softball has always followed the initiatives of the World Anti-Doping Agency.
thought necessary to open headquarters in Europe where the sport of softball has been growing. ISF President Don Porter was recently in Lusanne addressing softball’s almost 30 year doping-free record in international competition. According to Porter, softball has always followed the initiatives of the World Anti-Doping Agency.In January, the Athlete Ambassador Program two-day workshop was held at the ISF headquarters in Plant City, Florida bringing in players as representatives from all five regions: Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and Oceania. The athletes focused on how to represent the BackSoftball campaign at events and with the media. Ten female athletes attended including two-time Olympians Michele Smith, and Jessica Mendoza. Putting what they learned to good use, Smith and Mendoza along with ISF President Don Porter, Task Force Co-Chairs, Donna de Varona and Dale McMann, ISF Deputy Secretary General Low Beng Choo, and ISF Director of Communications Bruce Wawrzyniak attended SportAccord in Denver, Colorado in March. They spoke with delegates about softball’s worldwide influence. Showing softball’s popularity among youth, IOC Member, HRH Prince Tunku Imran, helped conduct the draws for the Easton Foundation Youth Softball World Cup. Twelve countries will participate in the 16-Under girls’ fast pitch competition that will be taking place in August in the Czech Republic. Softball’s presence at SportAccord was well received, according to Mr. Wawrzyniak, as many delegates stopped by softball’s booth to hear about the sport’s maturation.
Softball continues its global reach as it continues initiatives in Africa. The Gambia National Softball Association hosted a two-day ISF forum on the future of softball in Africa. The enterprise was led by First Vice President of the Gambia National Olympic Committee and IOC member Beatrice Allen. The forum featured twenty-two countries from the continent of Africa examining softball’s growth. The event included coaching courses for new coaches and the development of school softball clubs. In 2011, Cape Town, South Africa will host the ISF IX Jr. Women’s World Championship which illustrates softball’s growth as an international sport.
The ISF has sent equipment to Aruba, Botswana, and Nigeria to prepare for the 16th annual National Sports Festival in Kaduna. Equipment was also sent to Colombia in March where it was distributed among children at a local softball club. In 2005, the first women’s softball championship took place in Iran with only 5 teams competing. Now, there are over 15 cities in Iran that support the game of softball. Because it is not too complex a sport to learn and equipment is relatively inexpensive, Muslim women have access to the sport which can even be played in conservative attire -- an important component for the participation of women in Muslim societies. BackSoftball continues to encourage softball’s popularity and growth in nations where women’s athletics are underrepresented.
The ISF held its third Generations for Peace Camp in Abu Dhabi joined by the Task Force’s Co-Chair Donna de Varona. Founded by HRH Prince Feisal Al Hussein, the President of the Jordan Olympic Committee, Generations for Peace brings in high-level coaches to train youth leaders from nine conflict zones on how softball can unite communities and bring peace.These are just a few of the many events that have taken place in the past few months as softball continues to demonstrate its broad reach. “People have been traveling the globe on behalf of softball to spread the word of the many positive aspects of our sport, which truly make it complementary to the Olympic Program,” stated Mr. Wawrzyniak. Athlete Ambassador and Olympian, Danielle Stewart, made a presentation in New Zealand at the Oceania National Olympic Committee General Assembly about softball’s growth and clean doping record. ISF President Don Porter attended the inaugural Olympic Council of Asia Congress in Kuwait to discuss softball’s impact on that region. Low Beng Choo and Donna de Varona attended the IOC Women in Sport Commission in Lausanne, Switzerland. Task Force members have visited Venezuela to discuss softball’s success in the Beijing Olympics.
BackSoftball, being a ‘cup half full’ sort of organization, reacted positively to the recent news that the IOC will shortlist two sports in August for the final vote in October. They trudge along arduously campaigning around the world, continuing their remarkable cause, and persevering despite the recent revelations. Mr. Wawrzyniak echoes BackSoftball’s sentiments: “We’re hopeful that all of this ongoing activity by the BackSoftball campaign will get softball back on the Olympic Program where it has proven to be successful at the last four Games.”
For more info: BackSoftball, International Softball Federation
Other Articles: BackSoftball brings hope for Olympic future, Athlete Ambassadors aid in reinstatement effort
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