WBSC announces new Athlete Transfer Rules to come into effect in 2025
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>The World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) is pleased to announce the new <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/en/documents/search?type=&keyword=athlete+transfer+rules">Athlete Transfer Rules</a>, which will come into effect from 1 January 2025.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>The rules apply to all National Federations, Continental Associations, clubs and athletes, and set out general principles concerning the transfer of baseball/softball athletes between clubs affiliated with different National Federations.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Developed by the Player Transfer Working Group and approved by the <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/en/news/wbsc-executive-board-reflects-on-world-baseball-softball-day-success">WBSC Board in May</a>, the rules have been established over several years with the objective to establish a solid structure and provide a clear overview of athlete transfers.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:quote {"className":"is-style-default"} -->
<blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-style-default"><p><a href="https://static.wbsc.org/uploads/federations/0/cms/documents/7b2571b2-61bd-6fcf-c7b9-1b920e8e3481.pdf">Athlete Transfer Rules</a> <br><a href="https://static.wbsc.org/uploads/federations/0/cms/documents/810ca27e-d7c0-c3d4-800f-ce17d7a26ccd.pdf">Athlete Transfer Rules - Appendix 01 </a><br><a href="https://static.wbsc.org/uploads/federations/0/cms/documents/06ae0fbb-09ef-72b6-5142-cb85fe5ebef6.pdf">Athlete Transfer Rules - Appendix 02</a></p></blockquote>
<!-- /wp:quote -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>The Athlete Transfer Rules will help create
a level playing field regarding transfers across the WBSC’s jurisdiction and
protect the global system, and applies to all athletes aged 18 or older.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Moving forward, a transfer can only occur
through the issuance of an International Transfer Certificate (ITC). The ITC is
a document that validates and certifies that a player can be transferred and
play in another country and is tied to a single international transfer, so it
must be requested and issued whenever conditions for an international transfer
arise.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Athletes’ Commission and Working Group member Randolph Oduber emphasised the importance of introducing the rules and ensuring fairness among all WBSC member federations.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:quote -->
<blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><p>“The implementation of the Athlete Transfer Rules in 2025 will ensure that all the WBSC member federations are treated fairly when it comes to player transfers" </p><cite> Athletes’ Commission and Working Group member Randolph Oduber </cite></blockquote>
<!-- /wp:quote -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>“The implementation of the Athlete Transfer Rules in 2025 will ensure that all the WBSC member federations are treated fairly when it comes to player transfers, therefore protecting WBSC’s vast global ecosystem," Oduber said. "Our aim is not to make transfers difficult for players, but to ensure they are appropriately regulated.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>“There has been significant work put in by my fellow Working Group members, but we are pleased with the outcome and hope that the first iteration of these rules provide the foundation for player transfers in the long term.”</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Oduber was joined in the Working Group by WBSC Executive Vice President and Softball Division Chair Craig Cress, Pierluigi Bissa, Rainer Husty (Austria NF President), Maria Soto (WBSC Softball Division Vice Chair) and Kruno Karin (WBSC Europe President).</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->