LAUSANNE — The International Baseball Federation has formally approved a merger with softball's governing body in a joint bid to return to the Olympics. IBAF said the creation of a single international federation received unanimous approval in a mail-in vote of its members. The International Softball Federation approved the move in October. IBAF President Riccardo Fraccari said: “This is another critical step in the long-term prosperity and development of softball and baseball worldwide.” Baseball and softball are bidding jointly to win a spot on the program for the 2020 Games. The IOC will vote next September. — Reuters