Tunisia, Ghana, Zambia and South Africa to compete for two Baseball5 Youth World Cup spots

After four days and 28 games of the opening round, Tunisia, Ghana, Zambia, and South Africa qualified for the semifinals of the inaugural Youth Baseball5 African Championship. The winners will advance to the championship game to earn the right to participate in the first-ever WBSC Youth Baseball5 World Cup.

The tournament opened on Tuesday, 16 May, in Cape Coast, Ghana. A show by traditional dancers preceded the opening ceremony.

"I attended the Baseball5 World Cup Qualifier one year ago in Tanzania," commented WBSC President Riccardo Fraccari.

"I want to say that I'm impressed by the improvement in the level of play. Baseball5 looks like the perfect fit for Africa.

"The venue is perfect. I also like the idea of inviting school kids. Their presence creates a thrilling atmosphere, and the tournament is an ideal showcase for Baseball5. I'm positive the five-on-five version of Baseball5 will make a nice addition to school programmes.

"Watching these games, it's easy to understand the success of Baseball5. It's not only a matter of the low costs and the fact you can play everywhere. The game is intense. Players are committed and are having a great time."

Cape Coast, one of the most historical cities of the Republic of Ghana, lies on the Gulf of Guinea.

"This tournament gives us an excellent opportunity to showcase Baseball5 to the youth in Cape Coast," said Edmund Kwesi Ackom, Ghana Baseball & Softball Federation vice president.

"There are plenty of schools in Cape Coast, and we believe this city can be a key to developing the game in Ghana. It's a privilege having WBSC President Riccardo Fraccari visit us. We want to show him we are on the right track."

The semifinals are scheduled for Saturday, 20 May, and the medal game will be played on Sunday, 21 May. All the games will stream live on WBSC YouTube Channel.