President Fraccari: Exciting future for baseball and softball after amazing Olympic Games tournaments
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<p>With the curtain now drawn on baseball and softball’s return to the Olympic Games, I would like to reflect on the emotion of not only the last 19 days, but also the past eight years, since the International Softball Federation and the International Baseball Federation merged together to form the World Baseball Softball Confederation in 2013 with the aim of seeing baseball and softball return to the greatest multi-sport extravaganza in the world.</p>
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<p>I am so proud of this moment, having celebrated not only the six medal-winning teams but all the teams who participated in Tokyo 2020 and the qualification process along the way. All the tournaments were full of great contests, plenty of drama and competitive matches, along with the incredible media coverage to match. </p>
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<p>And it’s not only the on-field performances we must
applaud. I
must pay my deepest respects to our Japanese friends for their commitment to
delivering these Games under the most difficult conditions. They have
successfully safeguarded the Olympic Flame through one of its most difficult
periods, and for this, we are eternally grateful. </p>
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<p>As
I watched the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games come to a close this evening, I felt an
enormous sense of pride for all that we had achieved during our stay in Japan.
Our Olympic comeback, despite the circumstances, was as spectacular as we could
have hoped for. </p>
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<p>My
team and I can go back home knowing that our sport, our athletes and our
movement, made invaluable contributions to the overall success of these unique
Olympic Games. From opening the Games’ competitions at the Azuma Baseball
Stadium in Fukushima on 21 July with women’s softball, to Eddy Alverez
becoming only the sixth Olympian to win medals at both a Winter and Summer
Olympic Games, it’s safe to say that baseball and softball have left their mark
on the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. </p>
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<p>I
think you’ve seen that the ultra-competitive games, the excellent fan
engagement and feedback from the athletes have proven once again how baseball
and softball are a great fit for the Olympics. Not to mention the innovations,
which the WBSC has introduced such as the pitching clock, two runners on for
tiebreakers and TV cameras in the bases. This all in the aid to improve the
audience experience. </p>
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<p>The
provisional television viewing figures and social media and website numbers, as
well as the global media coverage, indicate that these innovations and the
games of baseball and softball have been a huge success.</p>
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<p>The
Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games also showcased the growing strength of international
baseball and softball as well as providing a great opportunity to welcome new
fans to our beautiful game and inspire a new generation of stars who we look
forward to seeing going for gold at the Olympics again soon.</p>
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<p>Last
night, emotions were running high at the Yokohama Baseball Stadium as Japan
secured the first baseball Olympic gold medal in its history. Another thrilling
final against the USA, having also claimed gold against them in softball
earlier on in the Games. </p>
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<p>However,
it wasn’t just the finalists who put on a brilliant show. All of the teams who
competed at these Games were of the highest calibre and we were blessed with
some the best and most competitive international baseball and softball in
living memory. There’s just nothing quite like representing your country on the
greatest stage of all. The Olympic experience is unique and one which we will
continue to fight hard for on behalf of our fans, our teams and their
athletes. </p>
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<p>Despite
not being on the programme for Paris 2024, there are many reasons to be
optimistic about our future within the Olympic Movement. Our newest discipline,
Baseball5, will be making its debut at Youth Olympic Games in Dakar in 2026.
And with the Olympic Games soon returning to the birthplace of our sport at LA
2028, we are confident that baseball and softball will be returning to the
Summer Olympic Games soon. </p>
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