The heart of baseball and softball beat loud and proud on 10 May as the world celebrated World Baseball Softball Day in recognition of the 10th anniversary of World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC).
Here's how the celebration unfolded.
Here are more highlights from the celebrations, including the gala reception at The Olympic Museum.
WBSC President Riccardo Fraccari reflected on the 10-year journey, highlighting the unification of baseball and softball under one banner.
"Over these years, we have witnessed an incredible journey filled with many milestones and achievements. Together, we have also overcome any challenge that has come our way. And at the heart of this journey has been the spirit of teamwork."
Bhutan Baseball & Softball Association won the $10,000 equipment grant for the best activation on World Baseball Softball Day, with the theme ‘Happiness Hits Home’ that highlighted the impact of baseball and softball in uniting communities and spreading joy across the nation.
Baseball5 also took centre stage with the premiere of a 22-minute documentary #PLAYEVERYWHERE.
Greetings arrived also from Los Angeles, where baseball and softball will make their return to the Olympic Programme.
Meanwhile, the baseball and softball community is showcasing their true colours for World Baseball Softball Day.
The Americas are abuzz with excitement for the World Baseball Softball Baseball Day festivities. Argentina Baseball Federation is ready!
As well as the Cuban Baseball and Softball Federation and Venezuelan Baseball Federation...
More from the Americas...
Europe has started to their celebrations. Here's are posts from Baseball Czech, Dutch Baseball and Softball Federation, and Baseball and Softball UK...
Africa well represented by Softball Kenya....
And Ghana
The Japan Softball Association and Diamond Softball League Clubs have also been particularly impressive with each of their clubs celebrating this momentous occasion.
The Bhutan Baseball and Softball Association has posted an impressive message for World Baseball Softball Day.
Softball New Zealand and Phillippines Softball launched the "first pitch" at World Baseball Softball Day celebrating the best of our sport:
While later in the day WBSC Oceania joined the buzz to celebrate the 10-year milestone.
Earlier this week, there were plenty of activities taking place at the headquarters of the WBSC and its home city.
The World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) 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) for the continued growth of global baseball, highlighting the upcoming Premier12 tournament and the sport's inclusion at the LA28 Olympic Games.
The WBSC Athletes Commission met at the Headquarters in Pully, Switzerland. Monica Abbott (USA, Softball), Timothy Atherton (Australia, Baseball), Randolph Oduber (Aruba, Baseball), Ayako Rokkaku (Japan, Baseball/Baseball5), Maria Soto (Venezuela, Softball), and Commission liaison Amy Park participated in person. Cole Evans (New Zealand, Softball) joined the meeting online.
On Wednesday, the WBSC Athletes Summit had an impressive turnout with over 350 participants from 44 countries joining. IOC President Thomas Bach extended a warm welcome to the attendees, including baseball and softball players from across the five continents. Monica Abbott, Timothy Atherton, Randolph Oduber, Ayakao Rokkaku, Maria Soto, Vanessa Mui and Giovanni Pantaleoni engaged in the panel discussions and webinars.
IOC President Thomas Bach hosted WBSC President Riccardo Fraccari and members of the WBSC Athlete Commission on Wednesday at the Olympic House. This meeting, ahead of the Athletes Summit, included discussions with athletes Monica Abbott, Timothy Atherton, Randolph Oduber, Giovanni Pantaleoni, Ayako Rokkaku, and Maria Soto. Abbott and Pantaleoni had the honour of signing the Olympians Wall.
World Baseball Softball Day celebrates a decade of
successful swings and throws, starting with the WBSC Family descending upon Lausanne
for the week-long celebration.
The excitement for the World Baseball Softball Day started days before with some national federations joining to celebrate.
