Baseball, softball agree to unified bid

LAUSANNE, Switzerland — Baseball and softball leaders have agreed on a name for the new unified international body seeking a place in the 2020 Olympics.

The World Baseball Softball Confederation will govern both sports in their joint bid for a return to the games.

The name was announced Monday following approval of the merger by the International Baseball Federation and International Softball Federation.

The group will be led by co-presidents Don Porter and Riccardo Fraccari. Porter is current president of the ISF; Fraccari heads the IBAF. Both men are in Lausanne this week for presentations to the IOC program commission.

Baseball and softball, voted out by the IOC in 2005, were last played at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Karate, roller sports, squash, sport climbing, wakeboard and wushu also are vying for 2020 Olympic inclusion.

The IOC will vote in September.