It wouldn’t have been possible to scream out ‘Play Ball’ at the Tokyo 2020 Games without them.

Former MLB player Scott Kazmir said the Olympics is "like the World Series". Legendary pitcher Yukiko Ueno doesn't count out pitching in Los Angeles in 2028.

The Tokyo 2020 Olympic baseball tournament by the numbers.

Baseball and softball made a buzz at the Tokyo 2020 Games.

WBSC President Riccardo Fraccari looks back at baseball and softball´s successful return to the Olympic Games and the bright future ahead.

Oh, 81, one of the bearers of the Olympic flame in the Opening Ceremony as well as an attendee for the ceremonial opening pitches for softball and baseball in Fukushima, it has been a pleasure to be a part of the Olympic Games, something that he could not do in his days as a player.

The WBSC social media platforms took off during both the softball and baseball tournaments at the Olympic Games with followings on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram passing 500,000, 90,000 and 60,000 respectively while YouTube subscribers passed the 140,000 mark.

US manager Mike Scioscia: "It's an incredible oversight not having baseball included as a permanent sport in the Summer Olympics."

Japan's Yamada was voted the Tokyo 2020 MVP. USA's Nick Allen earned best defensive player honours. United States, Japan, Dominican Republic, Korea and Israel represented on the All-Olympic Team.

With tonight’s victory, Japan won the only major international baseball event that was alluding them, after winning the Premier12 in 2019 and the World Baseball Classic in 2006 and 2009.