Softball federation approves merger with baseball

HOUSTON (AP) - The International Softball Federation has approved a resolution to merge with baseball's governing body as part of a combined bid for the sports to return to the Olympics in 2020.

The ISF announced Tuesday that the resolution to create a confederation with the International Baseball Federation passed with 71 percent of the vote during a special congress in Houston.

Both sports were voted off the Olympic program in 2005 and made their final appearance at the 2008 Beijing Games.

They are competing against karate, roller sports, squash, sport climbing, wakeboard and wushu for one opening in the 2020 Games.