World Baseball Softball Day: Two Months to Go
In just two months, on 10 May 2026, the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) will proudly celebrate the third edition of World Baseball Softball Day — a global moment to honour our sport, our community and our shared future.
As WBSC President Riccardo Fraccari reflects: “It’s a day to celebrate our sport and all that we have achieved as one united team. A day to not only reflect on our successes but look forward to the bright future that the WBSC has.”
World Baseball Softball Day is a worldwide celebration that brings together athletes, National Federations, clubs, fans and partners across all continents. It is a powerful reminder of the unity and passion that define our global Baseball/Softball family.
A Global Call to Celebrate
The WBSC invites all stakeholders to mark the occasion by sharing photos, videos and stories that capture the spirit of our beloved sport.
National Federations are especially encouraged to organise activities across any WBSC discipline — Baseball, Softball, Baseball5 or eSport — and to showcase their celebrations on 10 May by posting on social media (Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube or TikTok), tagging @WBSC and using the official hashtags: #BaseballSoftballDay #WBSD
A Special Centennial Celebration in 2026
The 2026 edition will carry special historical significance, marking the 100th anniversary of the naming of “Softball.”
In 1926, Walter Hakanson, then the 28-year-old Physical Education Director at the Denver YMCA, recognised the need for a unified identity for a rapidly growing game known by various names, including Indoor-Outdoor, Diamond Ball, Kitten Ball and Mush Ball. Speaking at the National Recreation Congress, Hakanson proposed a professional, unified name that would help the sport grow beyond its perception as a playground pastime.
He called it Softball - a name that has since become recognised around the world.
In the lead-up to 10 May 2026, the WBSC will revisit the origins of the sport and celebrate Hakanson’s lasting legacy, highlighting the journey of softball from its early beginnings to its global prominence today.
A Date with Deep Meaning
World Baseball Softball Day was first celebrated on 10 May 2024, marking the 10th anniversary of the inaugural WBSC Congress in Hammamet, Tunisia — the milestone event that formalised the merger between the International Baseball Federation (IBAF) and the International Softball Federation (ISF).
Since then, 10 May has stood as a symbol of unity — the day baseball and softball came together under one global governing body.
Building Momentum Around the World
The inaugural 2024 celebration featured a week-long series of workshops and meetings at WBSC Headquarters in Pully, Switzerland, engaging key stakeholders including the WBSC Athletes Commission, Associated Members and staff.
A landmark moment was the first-ever WBSC Athletes Summit, hosted at the Olympic House in Lausanne, Switzerland — headquarters of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). IOC President Thomas Bach welcomed WBSC President Riccardo Fraccari and leading athletes including Monica Abbott, Timothy Atherton, Randolph Oduber, Giovanni Pantaleoni, Ayako Rokkaku and Maria Soto. More than 100 athletes from around the world participated in dynamic discussions shaping the future of the sport.
Celebrations continued at The Olympic Museum, where WBSC athletes and staff hosted an interactive activation for the public. Visitors experienced baseball and softball firsthand through batting cage sessions and instruction from Olympians and professional athletes, bringing the sport directly to new audiences.
Globally, National Federations also embraced the occasion with creativity and enthusiasm. The Bhutan Baseball & Softball Association received a WBSC $10,000 equipment grant for the best activation campaign. Their initiative, “Happiness Hits Home,” beautifully demonstrated how baseball and softball unite communities and spread joy across the nation.