The World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) completed an impressive distribution of baseball and softball equipment to continental bodies during 2021. The action is part of the WBSC development plan and aims at accelerating the globalization of the game.
"It's the first time we succeeded in distributing so much equipment at one time," said Angelo Vicini, WBSC Treasurer and Chair of the Development Commission, just days after baseball and softball successful showing at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
The most relevant part of the equipment, including over 4,000 Baseball5 balls, went to the African National Federations through the African Baseball & Softball Association (ABSA).
The WBSC also shipped softball equipment to the National Federations of Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Panama, Belize and Venezuela through the Pan American Softball Confederation (CONPASA).
While baseball, softball and Baseball5 equipment went to Malta, Sweden and Finland through WBSC Europe.
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"We believe that involving the continental governing bodies is the key to a successful development plan," added Vicini. "We plan to continue distributing baseball, softball and Baseball5 equipment through the course of 2022."
The WBSC Development Commission is also actively supporting the National Federations with educational tools. The Swedish Baseball and Softball Federation received help to implement a clinic for softball coaches and umpires. The Italian Baseball Softball Federation saw an educational project for umpires approved for 2022.
"Travelling limitations due to the COVID-19 pandemic could have hurt our educational activity during 2021," added Vicini. "The WBSC invested relevant resources to develop an online platform, the WBSC Academy. Online courses help the member Federations remain up to date, even when travelling becomes a problem."
The WBSC Development Commission doesn't limit its activity to equipment distribution and educational courses. A grant to the Tanzania Baseball and Softball Association allowed the renovation of a field in the nation's capital Dar Es Salaam in March.
Support by the Development Commission also proved instrumental in introducing Baseball for the Blind in Tanzania. The WBSC Paralympic Commission has already held courses at the Dar Es Salaam University College of Education.
