International Baseball/Softball community celebrates World Baseball Softball Day
First commemorated in 2024 to mark the 10th anniversary of the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC), World Baseball Softball Day continues to serve as a worldwide celebration of Baseball/Softball under one unified banner.
From its inception in 2014, the WBSC has tirelessly championed the global growth of Baseball/Softball, encouraging innovation, teamwork and international collaboration and World Baseball Softball Day has been created to honour this impressive merger of international baseball and softball under one unified banner.
WBSC President Riccardo Fraccari said:
“On 10 May 2014, our sport made a historic decision: to come together as one strong, global confederation. Since then, our journey has been defined by unity, growth and innovation.
“Today, baseball and softball are more connected, more inclusive, and more global than ever before. And this day is not only a celebration of what we have achieved – it is a commitment to what comes next. Because baseball/softball is a shared passion that unites us all. Together, we are one team.”
A global call to celebrate
Across the world, the global baseball/softball family is marking the occasion in many different ways.
National Federations are organising activities to celebrate the day, while players, clubs, fans and partners are sharing photos, videos and stories that capture the spirit of baseball/softball in their communities.
Everyone can join the celebration. Share how you are marking World Baseball Softball Day on Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube or TikTok, tag @WBSC and use the official hashtags #BaseballSoftballDay and #WBSC.
The WBSC will showcase some of the best moments, stories and celebrations around the world across its channels and website in the coming days.
100-years of softball
The third edition of World Baseball Softball Day also carries special historical significance as it marks 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 several different names, including Indoor-Outdoor, Diamond Ball, Kitten Ball and Mush Ball.
He called it softball – a name that has since become recognised around the world.
World Baseball Softball Day is a celebration of what the sport has achieved, but also of the people who continue to carry it forward: the athletes on the field, the coaches in the dugout, the officials, volunteers, National Federations, clubs, fans and partners who help grow the sports every day.
Categories: WBSC
