Citius. Altius. Fortius.

The Latin Olympic Motto for Stronger, Higher, Faster is very prevalent right now. Even the executives in baseball will have to admit that the thirtieth Olympic Games in London is out-shining the game right now. I, myself, have been watching the summer games unfold across the pond pretty much every night since they began two weeks ago. With the closing ceremonies happening tomorrow, the question has to be asked about the Olympic games with regards to baseball: when or if baseball will become an Olympic sport?

This was the first Olympics at which baseball was not an Olympic sport. In the 2008 Beijing games, the South Koreans won the gold with the United States garnering Silver. The International Olympic Committee decided not to give baseball Olympic status shortly after those games. I am going to lay out arguments for and against with a rebuttal for each one.

Arguments in support of reinstating baseball as an Olympic Sport:

1.) Baseball is a universally-recognized sport.

Perhaps, but really only in the Americas and Asia. How many MLB players are from Europe or Africa? Very few.

2.) Baseball is a summer game, so, thus, it should be in the Summer Olympic Games.

The Olympics conflict with the heart of the MLB season. I have a hard time believing that the owners and managers of the professional clubs would be thrilled by a two-week absence by their best players.

3.) Baseball is more popular worldwide than other Olympic Sports. Rhythmic gymnastics, archery, and synchronized swimming are less popular, but are embraced Olympic Sport.

Very good point. Yet, those sports don't require as much organization or equipment as baseball does making them east to administer from the standpoint of the IOC.

Arguments in opposition of reinstating baseball as an Olympic Sport:

1.) The World Series is the pinnacle championship for a baseball player, not a Gold Medal.

The thrill of wearing a Gold Medal while your country's flag is being waved and your country's national anthem is being played may be worth more to more people.

2.) Since it conflicts with the MLB season, the Olympics would never get the best players to play.

Would that be such a bad thing? The Miracle on Ice team in 1980 was all comprised of amateur athletes. Maybe, here in America, we just want to win too much.

3.) The Americans would dominate anyway. How is that in the "Olympic Spirit?"

What about the "Dream Team"? The Americans pretty much dominate in Track and Field and Swimming. Besides, the Americans have only won Gold once.

Ok. I laid out the arguments. Feel free to elaborate or deliberate away. I can't wait to hear what all of you have to say.

In other words, Puget Sound Part Deux is interesting. None of my friends are gonna be able to set me up with a couch to sit on leaving me in a little bind for lodging. I could always go back to the hostel I stayed at earlier, but that would only be my last option.

Always take on a 3-0 pitch ;)