PRESS RELEASE – The Grand Prairie AirHogs are doing more than defending their championship this weekend during a home stand. The team is asking all Olympic baseball and softball fans to sign a petition of support to bring baseball and softball back to the 2020 Olympics. This year’s summer games in London mark the first time since 1984, when baseball was officially instated as an Olympic sport, that it is not being played at the Summer Olympics.
“Baseball is more than America’s pastime, it is played competitively around the globe,” said Scott Berry, president of the Grand Prairie AirHogs. “And, for baseball to not be included in either the 2012 or 2016 Olympics is very upsetting to families and fans across North Texas. We are asking our fans to make a strong statement to the IOC and encourage baseball to be played once again on the world’s largest stage.”
Starting today until August 12, supporters can visit http://www.airhogsbaseball.com/community/petition/ to sign the petition. Additionally, the team will be taking signatures throughout its next home stand as they face the Laredo Lemurs and Sioux City Explorers Friday, August 3 to Thursday, August 9.
Once the petition to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) closes, the team will send it to both Grand Prairie and Dallas City Halls for records, and then directly to the International Baseball Federation and the IOC in hopes to create change for the 2020 Summer Olympics.