The sport was voted off the programme for London 2012, along with softball, at the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Session in Singapore in 2005 because of its problems with doping and the fact that the top Major League players did not take part in the Games.

 

But Major League Baseball (MLB) is now hoping that if Obama visits the IOC Session in Copenhagen in October 2009 when the sport is up for election along with golf, karate, roller sports, rugby sevens, squash and softball then it will help them get back.

 

Obama is widely expected to attend the Session in support of Chicago's bid to host the 2016 Olympics and, as a dedicated White Sox fan, would undoubtedly want the sport included on the programme if they are successful.

 

Jimmie Lee Solomon, MLB's executive vice president of baseball operations, said: "I'd like to believe that our bid to get back in the Olympics would be enhanced by having Barack Obama in office.

 

"I'm not sure exactly how that would work, but we want to be back in the Olympics.

 

"We've made no bones about that."

 

Don Fehr, the executive director of MLB, said: "I think Senator Obama's election is an event of profound significance to a lot of people around the world.

 

"I would be surprised if it was not received that way in Olympic circles, also."