WBSC and Chinese Baseball Association sign MoU to strengthen country’s commitment to growing sport
The World Baseball Softball Confederation(WBSC) and Chinese Baseball Association (CBA) have signed a Memorandum ofUnderstanding (MoU) to bolster the popularity and commercialisation of baseballin China.
This agreement - which is announced one month from the start of the WBSC U-23 Baseball World Cup, which takes place from 6-15 September in Shaoxing City, China - marks a significant step towards enhancing the level of the Chinese national teams, currently ranked 24th in the WBSC/KONAMI Men’s Baseball World Ranking and 14th in the WBSC/KONAMI Women’s Baseball World Ranking, and expanding baseball activities within the country.
A key component of the MoU, which aims to foster a robust baseball environment inChina through structured programmes and collaboration with CBA, is the establishment of comprehensive training programmes andregional hubs, which will allow children to develop their baseball skills andprovide specialised coaching for elite players, as well as coaches andofficials. This structured approach aims to foster a robust foundation forbaseball talent in China.
The WBSC will also support the CBA inencouraging investments in baseball infrastructure. This includes thedevelopment of baseball fields and facilities, as well as boosting themanufacturing of baseball apparel and equipment within the country.
On the commercial front, the CBA plans toupgrade its league system to enhance commercial operations. This strategic moveaims to integrate Chinese teams into WBSC-related international programmes,elevating their competitive edge on the global stage.
Pinghu, Shenzhen, Zhongshan, Yizheng,Weihai, Hangzhou, Shaoxing, Fuzhou, Xiamen, Pingtan and Zhangzhou have all beenidentified as primary locations for baseball development, with the regionalfocus ensuring widespread access to baseball, nurturing the sport's growthacross the nation.
WBSC President Ricardo Fraccari said: “Thesigning of this Memorandum of Understanding between the WBSC and ChineseBaseball Association represents a significant milestone in our shared missionto grow and commercialise baseball in China.
“By establishing comprehensive training programmes and regional hubs, the WBSC and CBA aim to nurture the next generation of baseball talent and elevate the performance of the Chinese national teams, which are already making their mark on the global stage.
“The WBSC is committed to supporting theCBA in their endeavours and I would like to extend my sincere thanks to CBAPresident Xu Chen for his leadership and partnership."