Baseball5 takes centre stage at WBSC Europe Congress
Baseball5 was firmly in the spotlight on Saturday at the WBSC Europe Congress 2026, as leaders from across Europe gathered for a dedicated panel exploring how the discipline is reshaping development pathways, education partnerships and international event hosting.
The panel in Malta demonstrated that Baseball5 is no longer simply an emerging discipline — it is a strategic pillar of the WBSC’s global development model. Through school partnerships, urban accessibility, gender equality, innovative event hosting and digital engagement, Baseball5 is increasingly viewed as a strategic growth engine for Baseball/Softball worldwide.
Chaired by WBSC Head of Baseball5 Valerio Cianfoni, the session also showcased why Baseball5 is fast becoming a standalone discipline in its own right..
Strengthening the School Sport Network
Cianfoni opened the panel by updating members on the joint initiative between the WBSC and the International School Sport Federation (ISF) - a landmark collaboration designed to embed Baseball5 within school systems globally.
The partnership aims to:
- Develop Baseball5 in schools worldwide
- Integrate the discipline into ISF activities and events
- Support teachers and national federations with tools and training
- Build clear pathways from school participation to international competition
At national level, WBSC National Federations and ISF School Federations are encouraged to collaborate directly, responding to joint communications through expressions of interest. The WBSC and ISF will then provide coordination, education, certification programmes, pilot initiatives and follow-up support.
“Not Just a Discipline — A Growth Engine”
Elliot Fleys, Director General of the French Baseball Softball Federation (FFBS), delivered a compelling intervention, describing Baseball5 as a transformative development tool.
“Baseball5 is not only a discipline. It’s a growth engine,” Fleys said.
With no field required, no heavy investment and no structural barriers, Baseball5 allows federations to grow in territories where traditional baseball and softball infrastructure may not yet exist. Its 100% mixed-gender format and urban adaptability make it particularly effective in reaching new audiences.
“When infrastructure, money or time is a barrier, Baseball5 becomes the solution,” Fleys explained.
He highlighted how the discipline enables federations to engage:
- Schools and universities
- Urban youth
- Multisport participants
- Underserved territories
With low entry requirements and immediate playability, Baseball5 serves as a recruitment door, a visibility tool and a pipeline builder. The strategic shift, Fleys noted, is simple but powerful: “Stop waiting for players to come to clubs. Bring the game to where people already are.”
Fleys referenced how Baseball5 has helped the FFBS record a record number (13,179) of licensees in 2025 and how it is also redefining event hosting in France. Fleys emphasised how the format makes it easier to stage events since it allows/provides:
- Temporary urban venues
- Lower operational budgets
- Faster event setup
- Greater spectator proximity
- Opportunities for smaller federations and cities without dedicated baseball/softball facilities
“Baseball5 turns limitations into leverage,” he concluded. “The question is no longer ‘Can we develop it?’ It is: ‘How fast are we ready to move?’”
Where the Game Meets Reality
Ivana Dineva of Bulgaria — an International Game Official and prominent Baseball5 advocate — provided insight from the field of play, underlining the technical and human dimensions of the sport’s growth.
“From the first game, I realised that as an umpire, I had to be completely focused,” she shared, describing the fast pace and precision required in Baseball5 competitions.
Dineva emphasised that preparation, positioning, communication and teamwork are essential for ensuring smooth competitions. Clear signals, calm explanations and consistent body language are particularly important in a discipline that is still growing, where not all participants are fully familiar with the rules.
She also highlighted the role of storytelling and social media in promoting visibility — especially for women and youth.
“Every match you officiate shows the next girl watching that she belongs here too,” she said, stressing the importance of showcasing female umpires and leaders through broadcasts and federation communications. Mentorship programmes pairing new female officials with experienced counterparts are also key to long-term retention and confidence-building.
Her message resonated strongly: “Step onto the field. Make the call. Inspire the next generation.”
A Natural Fit for Schools
Jordi Vallès Mestres, Secretary General of the Spanish Baseball Softball Federation, reinforced the educational dimension of Baseball5’s expansion.
The discipline’s simplicity makes it ideal for physical education classes:
- No equipment or specific facilities required
- Playable in gyms, playgrounds or outdoor courts
- Short, dynamic 5v5 formats
- Inclusive mixed-gender teams
- High levels of participation and rotation
Baseball5 aligns naturally with school objectives, developing coordination, teamwork, decision-making and fair play. Its teacher-friendly structure allows educators without prior baseball or softball experience to confidently deliver sessions using WBSC toolkits, videos and ready-to-use lesson plans.
Vallès Mestres also underlined the importance of partnerships with education authorities through pilot projects, school festivals and curriculum integration — positioning Baseball5 alongside other successful urban formats.
A key theme of the discussion was ensuring a balanced transition from school participation to federation structures.
School tournaments can act as bridges to local clubs and regional development programmes, while youth festivals and open days create welcoming entry points. However, Vallès Mestres cautioned against pushing children too quickly toward traditional formats.
“Let’s not take children out of school too early — that is a common mistake,” he noted. “If a child wants more, we will give it to them — but without rushing.”
Baseball5, panellists agreed, should serve as an accessible entry point that keeps young people engaged in sport, with long-term pathways toward baseball and softball where appropriate.