End of the Year Message From the WBSC President to the Global Baseball Softball Community
ts. Fraccari's initiative to introduce new tournaments has provided more athletes with opportunities to compete on an international stage.
One of the highlights was the Youth Baseball5 World Cup held in Türkiye. This inaugural event served as an excellent preview for the impending Youth Olympic Games in Senegal in 2026 and showcased the distinct qualities of the five-on-five urban discipline. This event also demonstrated the sport's capacity to create new opportunities, with three African teams participating in a WBSC World Cup for only the second time and Türkiye hosting a WBSC event for the first time.
Fraccari's determination and hard work, along with the support of the WBSC and its major stakeholders, ensured the inclusion of baseball and softball in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games sports program. This achievement was celebrated during the Executive Board meeting, where May 10 was also confirmed as World Baseball Softball Confederation Day. This day will mark the WBSC’s ten-year anniversary and will recognize the significant growth across the organization.
Fraccari's vision is to reach out to the members, athletes, fans, and the entire community to organize events and initiatives for May 10, aiming to highlight the movement’s strength and the sport’s global reach. The creation of the WBSC Legacy Club is seen as a testament to the WBSC's innovation and evolution. The Legacy Club is aimed at leveraging baseball/softball for social development and providing less developed countries with training and equipment.
The WBSC, under the president's leadership, remains at the forefront of exploring new opportunities, such as the rapidly growing field of eSports. With the inclusion of WBSC eBaseball: POWER PROS in the inaugural Olympic Esports Series and the launch of the WBSC eBaseball Series and ePremier12, the WBSC has highlighted its commitment to engage with and attract new, younger audiences to the sport.
The president's role in the IOC Esports Commission signifies his commitment to leading future-defining discussions on this topic, shaping the WBSC’s export strategy and direction. He is dedicated to ensuring that baseball and softball remain in a strong position in the long term, both on and off the field. This commitment is reflected in the publication of the first WBSC Official Rules of Baseball and significant strides made in good governance.
Fraccari extended his gratitude to the athletes, officials, and new Global Sponsors such as MUFG Bank, Ltd., KONAMI Digital Entertainment, CARNEXT, KOWA, Nippon Express, and long-standing Official Suppliers Mizuno, SSK, Synergy, Corpay, and new partners such as Alibaba for their unwavering commitment to the sport. With much anticipation for the upcoming year, he sent everyone his warmest wishes for a wonderful holiday season and continued success in the New Year.
As we look towards the future, we must remember that success is built on the foundation of teamwork and collaboration. The global baseball-softball community has come a long way, but there is still much work to be done. Together, they can continue to build upon the past year’s achievements and strive toward even greater success.
As the sport continues to grow, so does its popularity and interest from fans. MLB betting has become a significant topic of discussion in the baseball community, with more and more people looking to place wagers on their favorite teams and players. Whether it’s MLB parlays, prop bets, or player futures, there are endless options for fans to engage with the sport in a new and exciting way. As technology continues to play a big role in the future of MLB, new innovative ways to engage with the sport will become apparent, only enhancing the experience.
But beyond just the entertainment aspect, the growth of baseball and softball also brings about opportunities for social development and empowerment. The WBSC's commitment to utilizing the sport for positive change is commendable and must continue to be at the forefront of our efforts.
