Mediterranean Baseball Softball Union officially established in Malta

Mellieha, Malta - An historic milestone for Baseball/Softball in the Mediterranean region was reached on Saturday as the Mediterranean Baseball Softball Union (MBSU) was officially founded during its inaugural Congress, held on the sidelines of the WBSC Europe Congress 2026 at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Malta.

The creation of the MBSU marks a strategic step towards enhanced collaboration among Mediterranean nations - following the previous announcement that Baseball5 will be a demonstration sport in the Mediterranean Games 2026 at the WBSC Congress in October - providing a structured platform to coordinate competitions, development initiatives and representation within multisport events, including the European Games.

Ten of the 13 European-Mediterranean National Federations participated in the founding meeting, demonstrating strong regional commitment to strengthening cooperation and expanding opportunities across the Mediterranean basin.

During the MBSU Congress, members received an update from the WBSC on the status of Baseball5 at the Mediterranean Games Taranto 2026, where the competition is scheduled to take place from 27 July to 2 August 2026.

Delegates elected the first MBSU Executive Board, establishing the leadership team that will guide the Union through its formative years, until the next Elective Congress in 2028:

• President: Kostis Liarommatis (GRE)
• Vice President: Elliot Fleys (FRA)
• Secretary General: Jordi Valles (ESP)
• Treasurer: Nahit Şahin (TUR)
• Member at Large Africa: Saber Jlajla (TUN)
• Member at Large Asia: Syria (allocation confirmed)
• Member at Large Europe: Petra Cizmic Pocrajack (CRO)
• One representative of the Member from the host country of the upcoming Mediterranean Games: Marco Mazzieri (ITA)
• Two Athletes’ Representative (one male, one female): Will be added at a later stage

In addition, the Congress approved and ratified the first MBSU Statutes, formally establishing the governance framework of the new organization.

WBSC President Riccardo Fraccari welcomed the establishment of the MBSU and congratulated the newly elected leadership. “The creation of the Mediterranean Baseball Softball Union is a very important step for our sport in a region rich in history, culture and sporting passion," he said. "I congratulate President Liarommatis and the newly elected Board on this achievement. The Mediterranean has enormous potential, particularly with Baseball5 set to feature at the Mediterranean Games in Taranto. This new Union will play a key role in harnessing that potential and strengthening cooperation across continents.”

Newly elected MBSU President Kostis Liarommatis expressed his gratitude to the member federations and outlined his vision for the Union’s future. “Today marks the beginning of a new chapter for Baseball/Softball in the Mediterranean. Our region connects Europe, Africa and Asia, and this Union will serve as a bridge for collaboration, development and shared growth. With the Mediterranean Games in Taranto 2026 ahead of us, we have a unique opportunity to showcase our sport and build lasting momentum for future generations.”

The founding of the MBSU signals a united commitment among Mediterranean nations to elevate baseball and softball across the region — fostering cooperation, expanding participation and strengthening the sport’s presence on the international stage.