Found this article in the Wednesday edition of the online Indianapolis Star Newspaper : October 5, 2005
Softball lobbies for IOC support
Associated Press
LONDON -- The president of the International Softball Federation knows what needs to be done to get his sport back in the Olympics -- drum up IOC support for another vote.
Don Porter and six players met with International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge in Lausanne, Switzerland, in an effort to reinstate softball for the 2012 Games.
The IOC voted in July to drop softball and baseball from the Olympic program after 2008.
Porter said Rogge told him the "door is open" for another vote, but only if the IOC members request it at their session in February on the eve of the Winter Games in Turin, Italy.
"It was all very positive, a very good meeting," Porter said. "He outlined eventually what the process would be as far as reconsideration."
Under IOC rules, at least one-third of the 115 members would need to submit a motion to consider a new vote.
If the motion passed, softball would require a majority in favor to win reinstatement.
Softball, introduced at the 1996 Atlanta Games, came within one vote of keeping its place in July. It received 52 votes in favor and 52 against, with one abstention.
The U.S. has dominated, winning three straight gold medals.
"We're going to have to go out and lobby on behalf of our sport to get the support," Porter said.
Porter said he believed some members were confused by the voting procedure, and softball was hurt by a perception that it was part of baseball.
http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dl...510050409/1004