In the week following an admission of steroid use by Alex Rodriguez, Major League Baseball's biggest star, IBAF president Harvey Schiller claimed his federation was at the forefront, handing out two-year suspensions from events under their control.

 

The bans players face from leagues are much less severe, although Schiller believes that will change.

 

He said: "The key to this is that they're going to non-tolerance.

 

"The shame that people feel when they are exposed will help the overall effort.

 

"I think that based on recent events, the upcoming negotiations between the players association and Major League [Baseball] will focus on this issue of suspension.

 

"On a personal basis, if any player in the [World Baseball] Classic is stupid enough to take drugs and be tested positive during this tournament, he should never be allowed on a baseball field again anywhere."

 

The IBAF has joined six other sports federations in a bid for admission to the programme for 2016.

 

The others are golf, karate, roller sports, rugby sevens, softball and squash.

 

Baseball was voted off the Olympic for London 2012 by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) at its Session in July 2005.

 

Its poor record on doping and the lack of top-name players taking part in the Games were blamed, although John Ostermeyer, the secretary general of the IBAF, claimed it was down to anti-American feeling after the United States invasion of Iraq for the decision.

 

Getting back on the Olympic programme crucial for the IBAF since most national federations, including in Britain, only receive Government aid if their sport is in the Olympics.

 

Schiller expects more support from MLB.

 

In the past, MLB teams prohibited players on active rosters from joining Olympic teams.

 

However, Schiller said 2016 should see MLB stars in either Tokyo, Chicago, Madrid or Rio de Janeiro.

 

He said: "Major League Baseball commissioner [Bud] Selig has issued a statement saying that 2016 will represent the best players in any Olympic tournament."

 

"I think it will be very important to have a definitive statement before the executive committee meets this June [in Lausanne]."

 

Until then, Japan's IOC vice president Chiharu Igaya will leading his support for the sport's return.

 

He said: "In March, I'll be going overseas four times for various meetings and I'll use every opportunity to speak to each individual member and explain what kind of a sport baseball is and what its appeal is.

 

Igaya, who said he was "instrumental" in getting baseball into the Olympics 20 years ago, is considering possible arguments to put baseball ahead of its rivals.

 

He said: "It is very hard, because all sports have their advantages and disadvantages.

 

"I'll have to explain it in terms of how baseball will help spread the Olympic movement."