"Our collective efforts can make a lasting impact" President Fraccari tells WBSC Europe Congress

WBSC President Riccardo Fraccari thanked WBSC Europe members for their continued dedication to promoting Baseball/Softball and its exciting disciplines during his opening address at the WBSC Europe Congress, which took place at The Westin hotel in Zagreb, Croatia on Saturday,

“This gathering represents an important opportunity for me to connect with our European members and to engage in meaningful discussions about the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for our sport and your continent,” he said, having arrived in Zagreb after visiting Australia for a meeting with the OCOG of the Olympic Games Brisbane 2032. “There are many things to do and objectives to achieve and it is my sincere hope that Europe will fully embrace [our] journey and vision working hand in hand with National Federations and the WBSC.

“By seizing [our] opportunities, we can strengthen the foundation of our sport across the continent. Let us move forward with determination and united, knowing that our collective efforts can make a lasting impact.

“Thank you all for your dedication, passion, and commitment. I look forward to working with each of you to achieve our shared goals.”

President Fraccari led the WBSC through another busy year with 16 international tournaments having taken place in 2024 including a ground breaking WBSC Premier12 2024 presented by RAXUS and ePremier12, which both culminated together in the Tokyo Dome in November last year.

Referring to the ePremier12 Finals inparticular, President Fraccari told the European members it “was an incredible outcome and confirmed us as a leading International Federation in eSports. This will help us greatly for the upcoming first edition of the Esports Olympic Games organised by the IOC in Saudi Arabia.”

In addition to tournaments, President Fraccari reminded members development is equally important and today is the perfect opportunity to receive support in national development activities.

For the years 2023-2024, the WBSC allocated $8m to support the development of Baseball, Softball and Baseball5 around the world but in addition to WBSC funding, there is also Olympic Solidartiy funding available since Baseball5 is in the Dakar2026 Youth Olympic Games and Baseball/Softball in LA28.

“We invite you to contact your National Olympic Committees to request Olympic Solidarity funds. Please do not forget that the WBSC can assist you in preparing projects and follow the request process so that we can decrease the risk of failure.”

With a changing landscape on the international event and sponsorship scene, the WBSC is in the process of restructuring operations and the organisation of tournaments to address the issue of event costs and complexities. ”Our new approach ensures not only the participation of the best teams possible but also the financial sustainability of the Local Organising Committees,” President Fraccari said. “However, as we are all aware, the challenges do not end there. The social, economic and sport landscapes are shifting in ways that demand adaptability and innovation. Television rights are on a downward trend, making it harder to rely on traditional revenue streams. Sponsorship acquisition has become increasingly competitive and complex, requiring fresh strategies and a renewed focus.

“So how do we build the future together? In response to these challenges, the WBSC has been proactive in creating and launching new assets that open doors to untapped markets and opportunities. Initiatives like Baseball5, eSports, and the Baseball Champions League exemplify this vision. They provide new avenues for athletes, clubs, and national federations to engage with the sport, diversify their audiences, and generate fresh revenue streams.”

Now one of the WBSC’s key projects is the Olympic Games, starting with the Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2026, LA28 preparation and a longer focus on Brisbane 2032.

“In these days, we are discussing the next Olympic qualifiers with the professional organisations, LA28 and the IOC and we are also working on the preparation of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games whilst also working proactively toward our inclusion in Brisbane 2032 Olympics.

“Just before arriving to Zagreb, I was in Brisbane for discussing the inclusion of Baseball/Softball in the 2032 Sports Programme; it was a very positive meeting but just the beginning of many others. We have a lot of homework to do but we are confident that our sport can be an additional asset for the Olympic Movement and I would like to reassure you that we will work tirelessly to guarantee our presence in the Games.”

Participation in the Mediterranean Games, which will be held in Italy (Taranto) in 2026 and the European Games, which will be held in Turkey (Istanbul) in 2027 are other objectives that the WBSC is pursuing, which will be another opportunity of growth for the European Baseball5 community.

“There are many things to do and objectives to achieve and it is my sincere hope that Europe will fully embrace this journey and vision working hand in hand with National Federations and the WBSC.

“By seizing these opportunities, we can strengthen the foundation of our sport across the continent. Let us move forward with determination and united, knowing that our collective efforts can make a lasting impact.

“Thank you all for your dedication, passion, and commitment. I look forward to working with each of you to achieve our shared goals.”