The World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) has completed a massive distribution of baseball and softball equipment to continental bodies, including Baseball5 balls in Africa, as part of the world governing body's development plan to accelerate the globalization of the game, particularly following baseball and softball's successful showing at the recent Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
"It's the first time we succeed in distributing so much equipment at one time," said Angelo Vicini, chair of the WBSC Treasurer and Development Commission.
The equipment includes 4,020 Baseball5 balls, 2,400 baseballs, 1,520 softballs, 1,114 gloves, 410 bats, 469 complete uniforms, 162 batting helmets, 72 catcher gear and 78 bags.
The WBSC delivered the equipment to affiliated continental baseball and softball associations, who are then to distribute the goods to National Federations across their respective continents, based on the various needs.
The African Baseball & Softball Association (ABSA) received 474 gloves, 164 bats, 84 helmets, 20 bags, 320 softballs, 4,020 Baseball5 balls and 469 uniforms. Baseball5 will make its Youth Olympic Games (YOG) debut at the Dakar 2026 YOG in Senegal, Africa.
The Baseball Federation of Asia (BFA) obtained 19 gloves, 12 bats, 10 helmets, 20 catcher gear.
The WBSC shipped 240 gloves, 40 bats, 20 bags, 480 softballs to the Pan American Softball Confederation (CONPASA).
The Pan American Baseball Confederation (COPABE) was shipped 42 bats.
The Softball Confederation of Asia (SCA) received 240 gloves, 40 bats, 20 bags and 624 softballs.
WBSC Europe received 58 bats, 44 helmets, 40 catcher gear, 2,400 baseballs and 96 softballs.
WBSC Oceania received 54 bats, 24 helmets, 12 catcher gear and 18 bags.
Each continental governing body will then report to the WBSC Development Commission about the distributions to the National Federations.
"The WBSC intends to monitor the way this equipment [is being/will be] used," Vicini added.
