Italian Baseball5 National Teams open camp on 28 January
25/01/2023
Manager Maurizio Balla selected 18 players. Before opening camp, he will introduce his programme to the Italian Baseball Softball Federation (FIBS) Convention.
WBSC Youth Baseball5 World Cup: Ivory Coast targets Africa qualifier with new Baseball5 programme and Youth Championship
25/01/2023
Twice a week, 15 coaches and more than 200 kids from 10-12 and 13-15 years old participate in training sessions aiming to introduce kids to the basics of Baseball5.
Sakala hosts first-ever Baseball5 tournament in Haiti
20/01/2023
The development project by the National Baseball Softball Association, led by Luxama Fabrice Edouard, started in late November in Cité du Soleil, Port-au-Prince.
"This new discipline requires only a ball and limited space, and as an Olympic sport it's may be a good fit for Uruguay," commented Mauricio Ovelar, who promoted the initiative.
Baseball5 Open de France: Third edition scheduled for 21 and 22 January
19/01/2023
The indoor facility Great Artenium in Ceyrat, Clermont-Ferrand, will host a 16-team tournament for players over the age of 16 and a five-team U-15 event.
WBSC Youth Baseball5 World Cup: Ghana to host Africa qualifier in May
18/01/2023
The tournament is scheduled from 14 to 23 May on the Cape Coast. France and Turkey are the only National Teams so far qualified for the inaugural Youth Baseball5 World Cup.
The top stories in 2022, a year in which baseball and softball returned with a full international events calendar and the introduction of new, exciting disciplines.
WBSC instructor Andrea D'Auria oversaw the educational phase in December. The best physical education teachers selected in six provinces will go through extensive education in early January. Local competitions will start in February and run through to March. A National Championship will be the final step.
2022 Year in Review: Baseball5 makes history with first World Cup at El Zocalo, Mexico City
20/12/2022
Cuba won the inaugural edition of the Baseball5 World Cup in inspirational El Zocalo, Mexico City. "I was struck by just how special and important this milestone event was," commented WBSC President Riccardo Fraccari. The future looks bright for the five-on-five version of baseball/softball.
First ever in Japan, Baseball5 becomes curricular activity at Oberlin University
13/12/2022
Oberlin University in Tokyo has launched the Baseball5 course which will be led by the associate Professor Kenta Wakamatsu (right in the cover picture; Oberlin president Hiroaki Hatayama is left, Japan Baseball5 National Team player Takuya Shima is middle) "It's an absolute first in Japan, and the outcome is hard to imagine."
WBSC Baseball5 Youth World Cup 2023: Baseball5 U-17 European Championship to qualify two teams
17/11/2022
Out of the 14 National Teams participating, the senior sides of France and Lithuania finished ninth and 11th respectively in last week's Baseball5 World Cup in Mexico City. WBSC Europe is streaming all games of the U-17 Baseball5 European Championship through its YouTube channel.
WBSC President: Exciting future ahead for Baseball5 after inaugural World Cup
16/11/2022
World Baseball-Softball Confederation (WBSC) President Riccardo Fraccari reflects on the huge success of the first-ever Baseball5 World Cup in Mexico and the discipline’s bright future ahead.
WBSC invites all Member Federations to join the new edition of the Sport Specific Anti Doping Webinar on 22 November
15/11/2022
Participation is free. The webinar is available in English, Spanish and French and is part of the "Play Ball, Play Fair" campaign run by the WBSC Integrity Unit.
WBSC Baseball5 World Cup MVP: Ayako Rokkaku – “Looking forward to the future growth of Baseball5”
14/11/2022
Rokkaku was voted as one of the two MVPs of the tournament – alongside Cuba’s Briandy Molina – and the Best Coach of the World Cup, as voted by her peers.
All-Star team sprinkles stardust on inaugural WBSC Baseball5 World Cup
12/11/2022
Japan’s Ayako Rokkaku picked up the women's MVP and Best Coach award and was also selected as a member of the All Star team while Briandy Molina from Cuba was the men's MVP and also named in the All Star team.
Cuba crowned first ever WBSC Baseball5 World Champions
12/11/2022
A Youth Baseball5 World Cup will be held next year before a second edition of the Baseball5 World Cup in 2024. Baseball5 will also feature in the sixth Asian Indoor & Martial Arts Games and the ANOCA Beach Games in Tunisia next year and the Youth Olympic Games in 2026.
Chinese Taipei claim historic WBSC Baseball5 World Cup bronze medal
12/11/2022
The bronze medal continues an impressive run for Chinese Taipei where they have medalled in every WBSC tournament in 2022 having finished second at the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup and third in the U-12, U-15 and U-23 Baseball World Cups.
Super Round schedule announced for WBSC Baseball5 World Cup
10/11/2022
Cuba and Venezuela will enter the Super Round undefeated after winning all five of their Opening Round games. The finals will take place on Saturday, 12 November at 17:00 and 19:00 respectively.
WBSC Baseball5 World Cup - Day Three: Cuba and Venezuela remain undefeated, first teams to book spot in Super Round
09/11/2022
Cuba and Venezuela claimed victories in Day 3 afternoon session at the Baseball5 World Cup to remain the only undefeated teams. Earlier in the day, Lithuania claimed historic win over Japan in a game which also featured three female officials on the court at the WBSC Baseball5 World Cup for the first time.
Lithuania beat Japan: Fairy tale stories continue at Baseball5 World Cup
09/11/2022
After Tunisia’s fairy tale story on Tuesday, it was Lithuania’s time in the spotlight on Wednesday after beating Japan in straight sets. The game also saw three female officials work a game for the first time in the tournament.
WBSC Baseball5 World Cup - Day Three: Historic win for Lithuania against Japan highlights morning session
09/11/2022
Lithuania's win against the powerhouse Japan was the highlight of the six games in the morning. France, Cuba, Venezuela, Chinese Taipei and Mexico also registered wins.
Historic day for Africa as Tunisia, Kenya and South Africa claim maiden victories
08/11/2022
Tunisia now sit top of Group B with two wins from two games along side Venezuela with Kenya third (one win and a defeat). South Africa are fourth in Group A with a 1-1 win-loss record.
Stunning Opening Ceremony lifts the curtain on historic Baseball5 World Cup in El Zocalo
07/11/2022
“It is with great emotion and satisfaction that I welcome the participating teams to this first edition of the WBSC Baseball5 World Cup,” said WBSC President Riccardo Fraccari as he addressed the Opening Ceremony.
World’s largest sports retailer Decathlon joins WBSC Baseball5 World Cup maiden edition as the official supplier
07/11/2022
This is the first time Decathlon and the WBSC have worked together, building a partnership that will help spread the passion for WBSC’s disciplines worldwide.
Baseball5 World Cup 2022 at El Zocalo by the Numbers
06/11/2022
The inaugural WBSC Baseball5 World Cup begins on Monday in the famous El Zocalo in Mexico City. An amazing venue for an incredible sport, which has some fascinating numbers behind it.
Amazing Zocalo: Baseball5 World Cup to be celebrated in the heart of Mexico City
04/11/2022
Counting down to one of the most historic moments in the history of the World Baseball Softball Confederation on Monday with the first WBSC Baseball5 Cup in Mexico City, one of the most famous cities in the world, and the venue - Zócalo - is one of the most representative sites of this fantastic metropolis.
WBSC Baseball5 World Cup: High5 Award to be presented to Social MVP
28/10/2022
The High5 Award will be presented to a Baseball5 fan, national federation or player who has promoted the Baseball5 World Cup and the sport of Baseball5 through powerful storytelling.
Mexico City, home of the Baseball5 World Cup maiden edition
23/10/2022
Baseball5, the World Baseball Softball Confederation's new and urban discipline, will debut in a World Cup in one of the most famous capitals in the world.
Venezuela prepares for Baseball5 World Cup with first national championship
10/10/2022
The tournament is seen as ideal preparation for Venezuela’s participation in the inaugural Baseball5 World Cup taking place in the El Zocalo, Mexico City from 7-13 November
International Summit on Sport: WBSC President joins world sport's leaders in signing Sport for All Declaration in Vatican City
30/09/2022
The WBSC has put its effort into making baseball/softball more accessible through its flagship parasport Baseball for the Blind, Baseball5 and Wheelchair Softball.
Tunisia receives WBSC Baseball5 World Cup wild card, completes 12 team line-up
13/09/2022
Tunisia will be making its first appearance in a WBSC World Cup, becoming the 79th nation/territory (the ninth from Africa) to feature in World Cup history.
Baseball5 Asia Cup: Chinese Taipei, Japan, Korea and Hong Kong advance to semifinals
18/08/2022
Top-seeded Chinese Taipei is the lone undefeated team in the championship. Japan is seeded second with a 4-1 record, Korea (3-2) third and Hong Kong (2-3) fourth. The semifinals and medal round are scheduled for Friday, 19 July. The top three finishers will earn a spot in the inaugural WBSC Baseball5 World Cup.
Baseball5 Asia Cup: Korea, Japan, Chinese Taipei advance undefeated to Super Round
17/08/2022
The hosts, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Singapore, qualified as the runner-ups. The top four will compete in the medal round, with the three medal winners qualifying for the inaugural WBSC Baseball5 World Cup.
Baseball5 Asia Cup, World Cup qualifier set to open in Malaysia, will be live-streamed by WBSC
16/08/2022
The Asia Cup represents the first international Baseball5 games in the region. The top three finishers will advance to the inaugural WBSC Baseball5 World Cup later this year.
WBSC opens Nomination procedure for Athletes Representatives elections
15/08/2022
Each Member Federation in good standing can nominate one candidate in each of the four categories by 10 September. The elections are set to take place electronically from 1 to 9 November.
Baseball5 Asia Cup presented in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
11/08/2022
This first Baseball5 Asia Cup will qualify three teams for the WBSC Baseball5 World Cup 2022 set to be staged in Mexico from 7-13 November. During the press conference, a Baseball5 Seminar was also confirmed.
Korea has eyes on inaugural Baseball5 Asia Cup, rolls out Mixed National Team
10/08/2022
KBSA selected eight players, four men and four women. All have relevant baseball or softball playing experiences. The Asia Cup is scheduled from 17 to 19 August in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
WBSC launches upgraded GameTime video platform, will feature games from World Cups, leagues around the world
21/07/2022
The new platform will be available starting with the upcoming WBSC U-12 Baseball World Cup and will stream all WBSC events and various National Leagues.
Global Game podcast: Latest episode focuses on Baseball5 and Africa
13/07/2022
Host Tyler Maun had a chance to interview Susan Wanjiiku Mwangi, the Kenyan Baseball5 National Team manager, and Alpherio Moris Nchimbi, the secretary-general of the Tanzania Baseball and Softball Association.
Mexico's El Zocalo to host Baseball5 World Cup 2022 from 7-13 November, Australia confirmed as sixth qualifier
04/07/2022
The Inaugural Baseball5 global event event will be played from 7-13 November at El Zocalo in Mexico City. The announcement was made during the WBSC Congress in Taipei, Taiwan.
IOC, ASOIF Presidents: WBSC delivered great baseball/softball events at Tokyo 2020 Olympics
04/07/2022
Thomas Bach and Francesco Ricci Bitti also commended the WBSC and President Riccardo Fraccari for recent advancements in international baseball and softball, including the successful launch of new disciplines, Baseball5 and eSports. Also Taipei City Mayor Wen-je Ke and CTBA president Jeffrey Koo addressed the WBSC Congress.
Baseball5 showcase at Arnold Sport Festival in South Africa enjoys big success
16/06/2022
Members of the South African National Team, the current/first-ever African Baseball5 champions, introduced 70 kids to the five-on-five version of baseball/softball.
WBSC Africa holds Extraordinary Congress, approves new statutes
03/06/2022
The WBSC Africa Extraordinary Congress approved the organisation’s new statutes as well as the timeline towards the WBSC Africa Elective Congress, which will be held on 4 July, a day before the IV WBSC Congress in Taipei City, TPE.
Growing the Game: Baseball5 National Championship staged in Moldova
02/06/2022
The five-on-five game only requires a ball to play and can be staged in various existing setting, eliminating the need for specialty equipment and construction projects, which in the past have been challenges to growing the game in key targets like Africa and Europe.
Ayako Rokkaku: Women's Baseball World Cup MVP dreams of Baseball5 glory
01/06/2022
The former WBSC Women's Baseball World Cup MVP is a strong advocate for Women's Baseball and Baseball5. She wants to contribute to developing the five-on-five version of baseball/softball as an instructor and a player.
Excitement grows, nations around the world target inaugural WBSC Baseball5 World Cup
30/05/2022
Global baseball-softball activity is on the rise as more nations roll out Baseball5 programmes. The five-on-five game only requires a ball to play, eliminating the need for expensive equipment and specific venues, which in the past have been challenges to growing the game in important regions like Africa and Europe.
Fed Focus: Baseball5 marks a new era in development for the Softball Association of Malaysia
30/05/2022
The 46th Malaysia Men's and Women's National Softball Championships will be held from 3-6 June, but the lack of regular baseball/softball fields is still challenging the game's development. The five-on-five version may help change the situation.
WBSC to have three IOC certified Safeguarding Officers
27/05/2022
Athletes Commission members Randolph Oduber and Erika Polidori and Commission liaison Amy Park completed the IOC course and will graduate later this year.
South Africa defeats Kenya to win historical first-ever Baseball5 African Championship, both qualify for WBSC Baseball5 World Cup
26/05/2022
"This tournament was a great success," said Angelo Vicini, WBSC Treasurer and Chair of the WBSC Development Commission. "It's historical to see an African Qualifier to a WBSC World Cup...we believe the Baseball5 African Championship will represent a milestone in development."
South Africa and Kenya lead undefeated after Day 2 of the Baseball5 African Championship
24/05/2022
On Wednesday, 25 May, four more games are scheduled to complete pool play. The top four finishers of each group will advance to the elimination phase. WBSC President Fraccari: "This tournament demonstrates the power of our new discipline and its youth appeal."
Japan readies for formation of its first-ever Baseball5 National Team, Asia Cup
24/05/2022
Baseball5 Japan, an organization formed by the baseball and the softball governing bodies, will select eight teams through a digital challenge. The winner of an eight-team tournament will represent Japan at the inaugural Baseball5 Asian Cup, a qualifier to the WBSC Baseball5 World Cup.
Baseball5 African Championship - Day One: Hosts Tanzania lead the way with three wins from three as the country's baseball and softball leaders target Youth Olympic Games 2026
23/05/2022
"It's a big event, the first of this magnitude in Africa and, of course, the first in Tanzania," baseball and softball leaders in the country say.
Historic: First ever Baseball5 African Championship to open on Monday 23 May
22/05/2022
Egypt @ Tanzania will open round robin play at 9.30 am. The top two teams will qualify to the WBSC Baseball5 World Cup later this year. Eleven officers of eight participating National Teams attended a two-day WBSC Workshop before the start of the tournament.
Schedule unveiled for first-ever Baseball5 African Championship
16/05/2022
The tournament opens on 23 May in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. The continental championship will send the top two finishers to the inaugural WBSC Baseball5 World Cup.
Tanzania to host first-ever African Baseball5 Championship, qualifier for inaugural WBSC Baseball5 World Cup
06/05/2022
Ten teams will participate in the tournament, scheduled from 23 to 26 May in Dar Es Salaam. Two will advance to the Baseball5 World Cup, which is due to take place later this year.
Kenya baseball and softball federations team up to develop Baseball5 National Teams
27/04/2022
The cooperation sees Softball Kenya overseeing the adult Baseball5 National Team, while the Baseball Kenya is responsible for the Youth National Teams. The two baseball and softball leaders explained the reasoning behind this strategy.
WBSC runs key Baseball5 / Mini Baseball workshop for OlympAfrica directors in Africa
08/04/2022
The workshop is one of the first initiatives under the MOU between the World Baseball Softball Confederation, Olympafrica Foundation and Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa to promote baseball and softball in Africa. Baseball5 will feature at the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal.
Softball Association of Malaysia to take grassroots Baseball5 programme into schools
15/03/2022
"We are in the process of starting Baseball5 at the grassroots level, introducing primary school students to the game," said SAM Secretary-General Willeam Mah Choon How. "We want to make Baseball5 accessible to all."
Women's Baseball League headlines packed Venezuela national baseball season
28/02/2022
The second Women's Baseball League will be the first of four National Championships. National tournaments in six different age brackets and six Baseball5 events will also feature in 2022.
Federation Focus: Bhutan wants baseball and softball to thrive on top of the world
25/02/2022
Bhutan federation co-founders Karma Dorji, the current president, and Matthew DeSantis, guide the WBSC inside the baseball, softball and Baseball5 programme of one of its newest members.
South Africa showcases Baseball5 in Benoni, Gauteng
25/01/2022
"You can play it anywhere," commented Americo Juma, the South African Baseball Union Baseball5 commissioner. "It supports social cohesion and promotes women in sports."
Nine events highlight 2022 international Baseball, Softball, Baseball5 calendars
18/01/2022
The WBSC Executive Board approved the 2022 international events calendar for Baseball, Softball and Baseball5 during its first online meeting of the year on 11 January.
Baseball5, softball national champions crowned in India
14/01/2022
The Softball Association of India organised its second selection trial for the Women’s National Softball Team for the 2022 Asian Games in Manav Rachna University, Faridabad from December 19-21, 2021.
Never miss a moment!
The top stories in 2021, a year in which baseball and softball returned to the Olympic Games and the international events calendar restarted following the impact of Covid-19 around the world.
Global Game Podcast: Baseball5 is ‘the most beautiful thing that ever happened to me’ - Cuba star Briandy Molina
29/12/2021
Molina was the guest of the December edition of The Global Game, where he spoke passionately about Baseball5 and its origins, its main characteristics and the exceptional growth of the discipline in a very short period of time.
The WBSC showcased the five-on-five discipline at the Tokyo 2020 Fan Park sports experience. WBSC President Riccardo Fraccari presented Baseball5 to 54 members of the ANOCA. The first World Cup will highlight the 2022 international schedule.
Africa: Senegal launches '50,000 Baseball5 Members' campaign to grow the sport ahead of hosting 2026 Youth Olympic Games
02/12/2021
The first event was on 27 November in the town of Yoff. The goal is to make the most of the Senegalese people familiar with the five-on-five version of baseball/softball within the Youth Olympic Games 2026.
Palestine, Tunisia showcase Baseball5 at UTS World Virtual Youth Festival
01/12/2021
Over 100 organisations joined forces, united by the mission to promote inclusion, non-discrimination, equality and show the world's youth standing together for a better tomorrow.
WBSC Europe Congress: WBSC briefs Europe on Baseball5, eSport and key integrity policies
20/11/2021
Baseball5 -- WBSC’s new youth-focused, mixed-gender, urban discipline -- and eSport is fully in line with the Agenda 2020+5 of the IOC and the latest principles of the Olympic Movement.
It's the third U-15 title for Beach Services amongst boys, the first win for Al-Ahly amongst girls. Beit Hanoun Al-Ahly wins amongst girls over 17 years of age.
Baseball5 pushing growth in Argentina with “Salta Plays B5” activity
20/10/2021
The initiative included a series of clinics in schools from four cities in Salta, a Northern province in Argentina, and a Baseball5 tournament. More than 1,000 girls and boys participated in the activity.
Baseball5 showcase at Tokyo 2020 FAN PARK a great success
07/09/2021
In all, 3,617 people visited the future Youth Olympic Games discipline, with 1,936 reporting they enjoyed playing the five-on-five game with instructors and university volunteers.
WBSC and Mondo to work together for Baseball5 development
24/08/2021
The new agreement between the WBSC and Mondo will see the delivery and installation of a state-of-the-art field of play for the WBSC Baseball5 showcase during the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, which is taking place at the AOMI FAN PARK from Tuesday 24 August to Sunday 5 September 2021.
WBSC completes its largest-ever global distribution of baseball, softball equipment following successful Tokyo 2020 Olympic showing
17/08/2021
The WBSC is looking to boost global development and capture the wave of momentum from baseball and softball's successful showing at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
Federation Focus: Tanzania targets schools to boost baseball, softball development in East Africa
16/08/2021
Currently there are approximately 2,000 baseball and softball players in Tanzania. The national governing body is aiming to reach 10,000 players in the next years.
World Refugee Day: Global expansion of baseball-softball can and must serve refugees, says WBSC President Fraccari
18/06/2021
To mark World Refugee Day on 20 June 2021, World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) President Riccardo Fraccari reaffirms the WBSC’s commitment and responsibility to leverage baseball and softball to help shape a better global society, including the call for the inclusion and support of refugees in sport.
Growing the game in Netherlands: Baseball5 seminar targets high schools
21/05/2021
The Netherlands has been implementing various youth and urban initiatives to grow baseball and softball in the country, and push their leading position in Europe.
Baseball5 course in Dominican Republic proves a success
30/04/2021
The Dominican Baseball Federation's long-term goal is to open several Baseball5 schools across the country, fortifying what is already one of the top baseball countries the world.
Global Game: Palestine Baseball5 course aims to grow the game
27/04/2021
The national federation believes that the five-on-five version of baseball/softball can become its most important development tool for the sport to become more practiced.
Federation Focus: Baseball and softball strike deal to boost development in Costa Rica
26/04/2021
The two governing bodies have different histories and will maintain their development programmes. As the two presidents Adrian Alfaro and Robestro Castro say, they have a relationship like brother and sister.
Africa: Youth baseball tournament staged in Burkina Faso with seminar on urban baseball5
19/04/2021
Federation president Ibrahima Sibore attended the final of the U-15 Special League and held a baseball5 introductory course in Bobo-Dioulasso, the second biggest city in the country.
April anti-doping webinar to focus on athlete nutrition
14/04/2021
It's the fourth in the series by the International Testing Agency. All Baseball, Softball and Baseball5 athletes, staff and entourages are welcomed to join.
New bidding guidelines revealed for WBSC Baseball, Softball, Baseball5 World Cups
23/03/2021
“Our guidelines have been restructured in order to increase the level of support and transparency which organisations receive when bidding for a World Cup,” said WBSC President Riccardo Fraccari.
The U-23 National Team will practice until 28 March. From 26 to 28 March, the country's national federation will conduct a course for 20 umpires and coaches.
Russian government officially recognises Baseball5
11/03/2021
The five-on-five version of baseball/softball was introduced to the country in the spring of 2019, thanks to a joint effort by the country's baseball and softball bodies.
The Final Four had been postponed due to COVID-19 restrictions. Since its introduction, Baseball5 changed the perspective of baseball/softball development in the country
Netherlands Federation: Baseball5 a "huge opportunity for the Dutch baseball and softball community"
01/03/2021
Corinne Van de Griendt of the Recreational Sports Department at the Dutch Baseball Softball Federation runs through the introduction of the five-on-five discipline in the country.
Federation Focus: Chile targets Pan American Games 2023 to boost baseball, softball popularity
27/02/2021
Chile's national federation (FECHIBEIS) was established in 1954. Nine different regional associations are developing activity across the nation. The Pan Am Games 2023 will be a key opportunity to boost baseball's and softball's popularity in the country.
Baseball/softball players can attend free anti-doping webinar on Feb 25 as part of WBSC cooperation with International Testing Agency
22/02/2021
The initiative that allows baseball/softball athletes access to this service is made possible by an agreement between the WBSC and the International Testing Agency.