Dear Tokyo 2020 Volunteers: Thank you for helping deliver unforgettable Olympic Baseball and Softball events

The World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) wishes torecognise and thank all the dedicated volunteers and baseball/softball officialswho helped deliver successful baseball and softball tournaments at the Tokyo2020 Olympic Games.

In this regard, the WBSC echoes the words of the International Olympic Committee (IOC): “Dear volunteers, without you, none of this would have been possible. Thank you so much for your work in bringing the Olympic spirit to life once more - these Olympic Games could not have happened without you.”

Volunteer Voices

One of the Tokyo 2020 baseball-softball volunteers, Soyo Shimomura, a university junior, told the WBSC: “I was happy when I was chosen to be the ball girl for the Olympics, but at the same time, I felt anxious because of the responsibility of being broadcasted not only in Japan but all over the world.”

Yuto Tsunashima, a university senior, told the WBSC: “When I was chosen to be a ball boy in the Olympics, I was both happy and anxious, but my family was very happy for me. I felt sad that there were no customers and no cheering songs, which is different from usual Yokohama Stadium. On the other hand, more and more people were watching the telecast.”

Another volunteer, Riho Seto, a university senior, said: “Working with people from different countries has made me more interested in international affairs.”

Volunteers and tournamentofficials, including scorers, umpires and technical commissioners, of majorsporting events like the Olympics and World Cups are the behind-the-sceneheroes who help make the event happen.

In the case of baseballand softball, it wouldn’t have been possible to scream out ‘Play Ball’ at the Tokyo2020 Games without them.