ROME (AP) — The International baseball and softball federations have signed an agreement for their joint bid to get back into the Olympics, and are proposing a shortened tournament they hope will attract Major League Baseball players.

The International Baseball Federation and International Softball Federation announced a memorandum of understanding Monday to move ahead with a proposed merger overseen by an eight-person joint committee.

Baseball and softball were voted off the Olympic program in 2005, making their last appearance at the 2008 Beijing Games. They are bidding to be reinstated for the 2020 Games.

The sports are preparing a presentation to the IOC's Olympic Program Commission in December. The merger still requires approval from the IBAF and ISF congresses.