Baseball5’s journey takes centre stage as documentary #PlayEverywhere premieres on World Baseball Softball Day
The WBSC's mixed-gender, low cost, urban sport - Baseball5 - has become an increasingly important tool to help with the WBSC’s vision to grow baseball and softball around the world.
Baseball5’s meteoric six-year rise to the world stage today took centre stage in the premiere of a 22-minute documentary titled #PLAYEVERYWHERE, unveiled during the inaugural World Baseball Softball Day celebrations in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Baseball5 celebrated its sixth birthday on 24 November 2023. On that day in 2017, amidst the vibrant streets bordering the historic Estadio Latinoamerico in Havana, Cuba, Baseball5 made its landmark debutwith a launch event featuring university students from four Havana universities.
Now embraced by over 100 countries worldwide, Baseball5 has seen remarkable success, notably in Cuba where its roots can be traced back to Quatro Esquinas (the four corners). The country clinched the Baseball5 World Cup in 2022 and repeated the feat in the firstYouth Baseball5 World Cup played in October in Ankara, the Turkish capital.
#PLAYEVERYWHERE documents Baseball5’s journey around the world, capturing the joy and opportunity it has brought to people in different communities and cultures. Filmed on location across diverse global backdrops, the documentary features the faces and stories of youth who have found a common language in Baseball5, showcasing how this innovative sport is unifying cultures and communities.
WebsEdge, an innovative knowledge-driven media company, has produced the vibrant new documentary titled #PLAYEVERYWHERE, in collaboration with the WBSC.
"One of our standout achievements was the creation of
our newest discipline, Baseball5. And that is why we are delighted to be
gathered here today for the premiere of the Baseball5 #PlayEverywhere
documentary," said WBSC President Riccardo Fraccari before the premiere.
"Inspired by similar games played in the vibrant streets of Cuba, Baseball5 has quickly evolved from its humble beginnings to redefine our sport since its launch in 2017. Baseball5 is more than just a game; it’s a movement," added Fraccari.
"We are pleased to announce our partnership with BLA (Big League Advantage), an organization that demonstrates a strong commitment to the empowerment of athletes in their pursuit of achieving their dreams," said WebsEdge Head of Commercial Content Hannah Rosenberg. "Through this video, they showcase their unwavering passion for helping athletes achieve their aspirations of making it to the big leagues."
Baseball5 has become an increasingly
important tool to help with the WBSC’s vision to grow baseball and softball and
make it relevant in people’s lives while using baseball and softball as a tool
to bridge cultural gaps, improve health and education standards, and aid social
development around the world through innovative programmes and initiatives.
The WBSC Baseball5 team at the Azraq
Refugee Camp in Jordan celebrated the first anniversary of the Azraq Baseball5
Refugee project on Monday 1 January 2024.
In a historic milestone, Reem Hadroos became the first resident of the Azraq Refugee Camp licensed by the WBSC as a Baseball5 coach and game official in February. It is moments like these that exemplify the profound impact of Baseball5 on individuals and communities alike.
