Olympics-Baseball will try to grow globally after IOC setback

NEW YORK Aug 13 (Reuters) - Major League Baseball (MLB) will continue its push to grow the game internationally despite losing out on Thursday in a bid for the sport to be included at the 2016 Olympics.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) said baseball's next chance to become part of the Games would be in 2020.

"Baseball has enjoyed great international growth in recent years and today's decision by the IOC will not deter us from continuing our efforts to grow the game globally," MLB said in a statement.

The league added it would continue to cultivate interest in the game through the World Baseball Classic, a 16-nation tournament won by Japan earlier this year.

"The World Baseball Classic, which is the world's premier international baseball tournament, is the cornerstone of our global effort and we will work hard to make it even bigger and better," said MLB.

In 2005 the IOC voted baseball off the 2012 London Olympics programme.

(Writing by Steve Ginsburg in Washington, editing by Tony Jimenez)