WBSC Congress approves Statutes Amendments to enhance global baseball/softball
The V WBSC Congress, held in written form on 6 December, approved a number of important changes to the WBSC Statutes to help grow and further promote baseball/softball around the world.
The WBSC Executive Board proposed the changes after its meeting held on 13 September.
A total of 115 Member Federations voted, corresponding to 157 votes (28 in Africa, 36 in the Americas, 34 in Asia, 53 in Europe and 6 in Oceania) participated in the ballot.
With the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) celebrating its 10th anniversary on 10 May 2024, the key motive behind the statutes changes, which come into force by the 2025 World Congress, is to reflect the unity of Baseball/Softball as one sport with various disciplines.
One combined Executive Board will lead the WBSC with the support of two additional permanent Commissions for Baseball and Softball to ensure the best interests of each discipline continue to be represented. The Executive Vice Presidents for Baseball and Softball on the WBSC Executive Board will chair the respective Commissions.
The Executive Board will also include an increased representation of Continental Associations with 10 members. Each Continent will elect one representative for Baseball and one for Softball. The WBSC Commissions, which were appointed in 2022, will continue to serve as support to the Executive Board.
"The WBSC has continued to make giant strides since our last Congress in Taipei City in June 2022, and I am incredibly proud of everything we have achieved in this time," wrote President Riccardo Fraccari in his Report to the Member Federations. "Everything we do is to ensure the continued progress of our sport and our athletes. Thanks to everyone who participate, enjoy and share our beautiful game. Thank you for your commitment to our sport.
To fully comply with the Olympic Charter, the Prevention of the Manipulation of Competition Code will now be recognised at the same level as the World Anti-Doping Agency Code, while the membership recognition process has also been aligned for this purpose.
The other changes see a larger representation of independent members on the Integrity and Legal Commissions to reduce potential conflicts of interest and more comprehensive disciplinary guidelines to reflect the role that Continental Associations play in this regard.
Meanwhile, President Fraccari's report guided the member federations through the last two years of activity, which saw baseball and softball bounce back in a big way after the pandemic.
During 2022 the WBSC reached two major milestones - staging the inaugural Baseball5 World Cup and the first Virtual Cup.
The 2023 season marked further key achievements as the WBSC inaugurated the two-stage format for the Women's Softball and Women's Baseball World Cups and was part of the Olympic Esport Series.
"The growth of Esports," wrote Fraccari, "is another area of opportunity and will have an impact on the entire Olympic movement."
The 2023 Baseball international season opened with a highly successful edition of the World Baseball Classic and closed with the historic Baseball Champions League Americas. First editions of the U-23 Men's Softball World Cup, U-15 Women's Softball World Cup and Youth Baseball5 World Cup also added further stardust to a brilliant 2023 events calendar.
"Everything that we have achieved has been in line with the WBSC Strategic Plan 2022-2028," added Fraccari.
The changes will take effect before the next WBSC Congress to be held in 2025, including allowing for the electoral period prior to that Congress.