McMann, the 60-year-old first vice-president, was elected unopposed after both Porter and American Warren Jones decided not to stand.

Porter had been elected five times and under him the sport had been elected onto the Olympic programme, making its debut at Atlanta 1996. 

But it was controversially voted off again by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) at its 2005 Session in Singapore and was dropped after Beijing 2008.

Porter has since overseen two unsuccessful attempts by the sport to regain its place, most recently at the IOC Session in Buenos Aires last month when it finished second behind wrestling, which had been recommended for exclusion after Rio 2016 by the ruling Executive Board only to mount a strong challenge to retain its place.

In an attempt to help softball win back its position on the Olympic programme for 2020 Porter had helped broker the formation of a new governing body with the International Baseball Federation (IBAF).

The World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) has already vowed to continue fighting to restore both softball and baseball - also voted off the Olympic programme after Beijing 2008 - to the Games.

Canada's Dale McMann has repleaced Don Porter as President of the International Softball Federation

Porter will remain as Co-President of the WBSC with Riccardo Fraccari until the organisation's first Congress next March. 

McMann had served as President of Softball Canada between 1990 and 2001 and as a ISF vice-president since 1993, helping them establish their headquarters in Florida.

"Dale McMann is a remarkable Canadian sports figure who has more than three decades of experience and success in growing the sport of softball in both Canada and the world," said Marcel Aubut, President of the Canadian Olympic Committee."

"I have full confidence that his previous roles as first vice-president of the ISF and President of Softball Canada will ensure he is a valuable asset in his new position.

"The ISF is in great hands."

Australian Darryl Clout was elected as first ISF vice-president and Venezuela's Jesus Suniaga as second vice-president. 

Malaysia's Beng Choo Low retained her position as ISF secretary general.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
September 2013: Wrestling floors opponents with first round victory
September 2013: Baseball-softball 2020 Olympic bid under shadow of Fidel Castro
September 2013: We belong in the Olympics, says softball legend Finch ahead of 2020 vote
September 2013: Why it could ultimately be more than one sport that makes it onto 2020 Olympic sports programme
September 2013: Baseball-softball "best choice" for Olympics, says home run king Oh