The full form of WBSC is World Baseball Softball Confederation.
The World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) is an international governing body for the sports of baseball and softball. Founded in 2013, the WBSC is responsible for organizing and promoting international competitions, setting rules and regulations, and developing and growing the sports worldwide. In this article, we will explore the history and mission of the WBSC, its structure, and the major events it organizes.
History and Mission of WBSC
The WBSC was created in a merger between the International Baseball Federation (IBAF) and the International Softball Federation (ISF) in 2013. The merger aimed to unify the governance of baseball and softball, which had previously been managed separately, and to increase the sports' visibility and popularity around the world.
The mission of the WBSC is to develop and promote baseball and softball as global sports, with a focus on expanding participation, increasing competitiveness, and ensuring fair play. To achieve this, the WBSC works closely with national federations, clubs, and athletes to provide support and resources for training, coaching, and development.
Structure of WBSC
The WBSC is structured around a set of governing bodies, including the Executive Board, the Congress, and various committees. The Executive Board is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the organization, while the Congress meets every two years to set policy and elect the Executive Board members.
In addition to the governing bodies, the WBSC has various committees focused on specific areas, such as the Women's Baseball and Softball Committee, the Marketing and Communications Committee, and the Athletes' Commission. These committees help to guide the organization's strategic direction and ensure that the needs and perspectives of all stakeholders are represented.
Major Events Organized By The WBSC
One of the primary roles of the WBSC is to organize international competitions for baseball and softball at various levels. Some of the major events that the WBSC organizes include the following:
- World Baseball Classic (WBC) - The WBC is a men's baseball tournament held every four years, featuring teams from around the world. The tournament is widely regarded as the premier international baseball competition, and the most recent edition in 2017 attracted a global audience of over 1 billion.
- Women's Softball World Championship - The Women's Softball World Championship is a biennial tournament featuring the top national teams in women's softball. The competition has been held since 1965 and has grown in popularity over the years, with the most recent edition in 2018 featuring 16 teams from around the world.
- Baseball World Cup - The Baseball World Cup is a men's baseball tournament held every two years, featuring teams from around the world. The competition has been held since 1938, and the most recent edition in 2019 featured 12 teams from around the world.
- Softball World Cup - The Softball World Cup is a women's softball tournament held every two years, featuring teams from around the world. The competition has been held since 1965 and is considered one of the most prestigious events in women's softball.
WBSC and Its Work
Regional Federations: In addition to its global operations, the WBSC also oversees several regional federations, including the Confederation of European Baseball (CEB), the Pan American Baseball Confederation (COPABE), the Baseball Confederation of Oceania (BCO), and the Baseball Federation of Asia (BFA). These regional federations work closely with the WBSC to promote baseball and softball in their respective regions.
Anti-Doping Program: The WBSC has a comprehensive anti-doping program, which is compliant with the World Anti-Doping Code. The program includes testing of athletes, education and awareness programs, and sanctioning of athletes who violate anti-doping rules.
Olympic Status: One of the main goals of the WBSC is to establish baseball and softball as permanent sports in the Olympic program. Both sports were previously part of the Olympic program, with softball being included from 1996 to 2008 and baseball being included from 1992 to 2008. However, both sports were removed after the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The WBSC has been working hard to have both sports reinstated, and they will be included in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics as a one-time event.
Development Programs: The WBSC has several development programs aimed at promoting baseball and softball at the grassroots level. These programs include coach education and certification, athlete development, and facility development. The WBSC also has a Baseball5 program, which is a five-a-side version of baseball designed to be played on any surface, making it more accessible to people in developing countries.
Partnership with MLB: The WBSC has a partnership with Major League Baseball (MLB) to promote baseball around the world. The partnership includes the sharing of resources and expertise to promote the development of the sport. The WBSC also collaborates with other sports organizations, such as the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), to advance the interests of baseball and softball.
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