2025 Year in Review: WBSC strengthens Corporate Social Responsibility

As outlined in the 2022-28 WBSC Strategic Plan, strengthening governance and reputation while increasing transparency and sustainability remains a central priority for the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC).

Sustainability and Governance

In 2025, the WBSC reached a significant milestone by completing its first-ever Materiality Assessment, reinforcing its long-term commitment to sustainability and responsible governance. The project was delivered in collaboration with DEKRA Assurance Services GmbH (Germany).

The assessment identified the most relevant environmental, social and governance (ESG) topics for the organisation and its stakeholders. Key areas include ethical management, compliance and transparency; health and safety for athletes, staff and spectators; fair working conditions; diversity and inclusion; community engagement; waste management; and human rights. It also highlighted financially material priorities such as CO₂ emissions, renewable energy use, sustainable partnerships and responsible procurement.

The resulting WBSC Materiality Assessment Report strengthens transparency and accountability towards stakeholders, including National Federations, the International Olympic Committee, sponsors and fans. It provides a robust foundation for risk management and long-term sustainability planning, further positioning the WBSC as a leader among international sports federations in the integration of ESG principles into governance.

In parallel, the WBSC continues to align its policies and activities with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, adopted as a global roadmap to 2030.

Safeguarding

Safeguarding remains a cornerstone of the WBSC’s Corporate Social Responsibility framework. In 2025, the WBSC further strengthened its commitment to protecting children and vulnerable participants in sport by joining the International Safeguards Network.

WBSC safeguarding policies are built on two core pillars: prevention, through measures that minimise risks to children, and response, through clear actions when a child may be at risk or experiencing harm or abuse.

Throughout the 2025 season, the WBSC reinforced safeguarding awareness through its Integrity Unit’s #SafeCall campaign, screening a 30-second video at every WBSC event. The initiative targeted players, coaches and officials, with a particular focus on youth categories, and underlined the protection of athletes’ rights and best interests.

Available in English, Spanish, Japanese and Chinese, the video was driven by the WBSC Athletes’ Commission and complemented the work of Safeguarding Officers, who have been present at all WBSC events since 2021. These officers provide confidential support to athletes and ensure that concerns are handled with care and respect for privacy.

Diversity and Inclusivity

The WBSC continues to champion gender equality, diversity and inclusion across all its disciplines. The organisation sanctions both women’s and men’s events in baseball and softball and has also launched Baseball5, a dynamic mixed-gender discipline designed to promote inclusivity and equality. Baseball5 will make its Olympic debut at the Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2026.

To further advance these priorities, the WBSC has established two dedicated bodies: the Diversity and Inclusivity Commission, chaired by Olympic volleyball gold medallist Yumilka Ruiz (Cuba), and the Women’s Baseball Development Commission, led by Hiroko Yamada (Japan).

In April 2025, the WBSC joined the Global Observatory for Gender Equality & Sport (GO), founded in 2021 under the auspices of UNESCO and supported by the Swiss Confederation. The GO serves as a global hub for research, dialogue and expertise on gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls through physical education, physical activity and sport.

As a member of the GO’s Advisory Council, the WBSC plays an active role in shaping global initiatives on gender equality in sport and ensuring that a wide range of stakeholder perspectives are represented. During the year, the WBSC participated in the GO’s annual conference and Advisory Council meetings held on 10 June and 29 September.

Women in Leadership

The WBSC strongly supports gender balance and female representation in leadership positions across sport governance, coaching and administration.

In support of this commitment, the WBSC joined the Women Lead Sports Programme of the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF).

WBSC Paralympic Commission Member Eva Trevisan and Priscilla Brandi of the Association of International Blind Baseball represented the WBSC at the programme, alongside Nomeda Neverauskaitė, Secretary General of the Lithuanian Baseball and Softball Federation, and former Australian women’s baseball player and administrator Narelle Gosstray.

In addition, Shari Reiniger (Canada), WBSC Baseball Technical Commissioner, and Mette Nissen Jakobsen (Denmark), WBSC Europe Executive Board Member, completed the Women Lead Sports Master Programme, organised by the International World Games Association (IWGA) from 24 October to 14 November 2025.

The WBSC also nominated three coaches to participate in the Women in Sport High Performance Pathway Programme (WISH), an International Olympic Committee-supported initiative designed to advance leadership and coaching opportunities for women in high-performance sport.

The 21-month, values-driven programme brings together outstanding women coaches from around the world, supported by Olympic Solidarity and several International Federations.
Haylee Scott-Maree, who led South Africa to the Women's Baseball African Championship, joined WISH Cohort 5 in May 2025. Softball Olympians Greta Cechetti (Italy) and Saskia Kosterink (Netherlands) joined Cohort 6 in December 2025.

WBSC staff member Carine Esoua participated in the Women's Leadership Workshop, organised by ASOIF and delivered by Equal Careers, further strengthening leadership capacity within the organisation.

The Map of Skills

As part of its recruitment and appointment process for Commissions, the WBSC requires candidates to submit a Map of Skills relevant to the respective Commission. This tool promotes diversity by bringing together individuals with complementary backgrounds, cultures and expertise.

The Map of Skills also serves as a performance evaluation tool at the end of each Commission member’s term, supporting informed decision-making and ensuring the continued effectiveness of WBSC governance structures.