The World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC), as part of the week-long celebrations for its 10th anniversary, hosted an historic Baseball Pro Leagues Summit at its headquarters in Pully, Switzerland, bringing together representatives from the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL), Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) League, Major League Baseball (MLB) and Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).
WBSC President Riccardo Fraccari opened the summit, stating:
“As we gather here, we are not just
convening a meeting; we are laying the foundation for enhanced collaboration
and synergy between the International Federation and the professional leagues.
This summit symbolises our collective commitment to the growth and prosperity
of our beloved sport on a global scale.
“In a world that is ever evolving, it is
imperative that we adapt and innovate to ensure the continued relevance and
appeal of baseball, particularly among younger generations. By coming together
today, we embark on a journey of exploration, collaboration and
forward-thinking that will shape the future of our sport.”
The discussions were productive, covering a range of key topics regarding the continued growth of global baseball. The promising future of baseball around the world was also highlighted, especially the upcoming Premier12 tournament and the sport's inclusion at the Olympic Games LA28.
Baseball5, the WBSC’s young, urban and dynamic discipline, was also singled out as a key opportunity to expand and popularise the sport worldwide due to its accessibility and minimal equipment needs.
The WBSC also presented the latest updates regarding its portfolio of events, including the introduction of the Baseball5 World Cups, both senior and youth, as well as advancements in eSports and the launch of the WBSC eBaseball Series.
The Summit was held as part of the WBSC’s 10-year anniversary celebrations, which are headlined on Friday with the inaugural World Baseball Softball Day.
