27/02/2021 2 Minute Read

Federation Focus: Chile targets Pan American Games 2023 to boost baseball, softball popularity

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.

30/01/2021 4 Minute Read

Federation Focus: New movement aims to boost baseball, softball in Finland

In the first edition of the Federation Focus series in 2021, the newly elected president of the Finnish Baseball and Softball Federation talks about the relationship with pesäpallo - the Finnish version of baseball - and how the sports can develop together and how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted their year, including the delay in celebrating their 40th anniversary of activity.

22/12/2020 2 Minute Read

2020 in Review: 'Federation Focus' series highlights baseball/softball activity around the world

The WBSC's new series inaugurated at the start of the year covered 11 different stories of very diverse National Federations Members.

25/11/2020 2 Minute Read

Federation Focus: Burkina Faso aiming for new stadium and Africa's first-ever pro baseball league

The French-speaking West African nation started playing baseball in 1993 and became the West African champion in 2019. The goal for the next four years is building a venue dedicated to baseball and softball, and establish the continent's first professional baseball league.

26/10/2020 3 Minute Read

Federation Focus: Iran Baseball Softball Association banks on Baseball5 as cost-effective way to grow the game

Iran has "the most advanced and modern baseball stadium in the Middle East", according to Houman Mansourian, the new President of the Iran Baseball and Softball Association (IBSA). "The venue is the outstanding achievement of the visits to Iran by WBSC President Riccardo Fraccari. We hope we can earn hosting rights of the West Asia Cup from the Baseball Federation of Asia," Mansourian said.

21/09/2020 4 Minute Read

Federation Focus: Russia proud past, promising baseball future

As the main Republic of the Soviet Union, Russia was officially introduced to baseball in 1987. Current Russian Baseball Federation President Dmitry Kiselev reveals the nation's history and future of baseball.

28/08/2020 3 Minute Read

Federation Focus: Venezuela - "When it comes to baseball, the passion is extreme"

The WBSC spoke with the Treasurer of the Baseball Federation of Venezuela (Fevebeisbol), Oscar Izaguirre to hear the story of the federation and it's secret to success, as well as finding out how it is coping in this year of the COVID-19 pandemic.

31/07/2020 3 Minute Read

Federation Focus: Lithuania has one of three Europeans playing at MLB level

The game of baseball was introduced to the country in 1922, but the Lithuania Baseball Association was founded only in 1987. Federation President Virmidas Neverauskas, the father of Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Dovydas, guided us through baseball in the Baltic area.

18/06/2020 4 Minute Read

Federation Focus: Sri Lanka wants to become one of Asia's baseball powerhouses

Baseball was introduced in Sri Lanka in the 1980s. The federation has set a five-year goal of climbing the baseball ladder in Asia.

22/05/2020 3 Minute Read

Federation Focus: Australian baseball is thriving from youth to pro levels

Baseball was introduced in Australia in the 1850s by gold miners. We look at how it evolved, leading to the current Australian Baseball League and the discovery of Baseball5.