LAUSANNE, Switzerland – World Baseball Softball Confederation President Riccardo Fraccari today welcomed news that the construction of India’s first-ever baseball stadium has been completed near the Gurgoan-Delhi border, as reported by The Times of India.
The first-ever baseball game at the new venue was played on Sunday (5 February) and was attended by Canada’s High Commissioner in India, Nadir Patel.
“The game is once again gaining momentum especially in Asia and is also being included in the next Olympics,” Patel told Indian Sports News.
“WBSC fully recognises and welcomes the ongoing efforts of the dedicated individuals and organisations in our sport who are helping to grow baseball/softball globally,” said Fraccari. “Due to such worldwide development efforts, access to baseball and softball continues to expand, helping to bring the sport to new players and fans in emerging baseball territories.”
The planning and launch of the new baseball field in India was an initiative of a local group, ‘Grand Slam Baseball’, together with Major League Baseball.
Grand Slam Baseball is aiming to help extend baseball’s reach to India’s youth, while helping to raise the profile of the sport across the nation.
According to the latest data, the number of people playing baseball and softball has risen to approximately 80,000 people.
With growing participation levels, efforts are also being concentrated on the development of coaches in India. Ten coaches in New Delhi recently completed a week-long development programme offered by local group ‘Play Global’, while MLB will be offering instruction to an additional 20 coaches.
Baseball continues to see a wave of global developments in high-potential territories, as the Pakistan government also recently announced it would support the growth of baseball both in Pakistan and internationally.
The Men’s National Baseball Team of India, who are ranked No. 61 in the world, will travel to Pakistan later this month to compete in the XIII West Asia Baseball Cup 2017.
Last year, the Women’s National Baseball Team of India competed in the WBSC Women’s Baseball World Cup in Gijang, Republic of Korea.
Consolation Round: Women’s National Teams of 🇮🇳 India and Pakistan 🇵🇰 played today in World Cup!!! #WomensBaseball pic.twitter.com/iTWuVP3ZxC
