Baseball and softball are set to become more global, as the African nation of Zimbabwe has announced plans to grow and develop Baseball5, the five-on-five Youth Olympic sport.
The Zimbabwe Baseball Association (ZBA) will be leading the growth, introducing and implementing the development plan for Baseball5 across the nation.
"It is easy to promote Baseball5 due to the fact that you need only a ball and space," said ZBA President Morris Banda.
"During this COVID-19 pandemic it is also a much safer option since there is no exchange of equipment like in [traditional] baseball and softball," added Banda.
ZBA can count on over 40 baseball and softball coaches who have been trained in Baseball5. Shepherd Sibanda in Bulawayo and John Madziro in Harare will lead the promotion. ZBA will then try to take the new game to the national level.
Baseball5 is the new, fast-paced urban version of baseball/softball. WBSC introduced the discipline in 2017 and will organize the first-ever World Cup in June 2021. The tournament will serve as a qualifier to the 2022 Youth Olympic Games.
Zimbabwe's commitment to Baseball5 adds to the already growing popularity of the discipline in Africa. The WBSC held four webinars for eight Africa nations in May on the subject of Baseball5.
Related article: WBSC President Fraccari: Baseball5 can take our sport to new places
