Rise of Baseball5 in Australia
Baseball5 in Australia has been growing at a rapid pace as it combines a passion for the sport and a street style without a lot of rules.
“Baseball5 is a new five-on-five, five-inning street version of the game of baseball/softball that can be played anywhere. This faster-paced urban discipline will help push baseball and softball to new places that were not possible before,” said WBSC president Riccardo Fraccari
Baseball5 in Australia already has a league in this country, and now they will have the support of Cuba to further shape and extend the competition.
This “simple” version of baseball and softball will be aimed primarily at young people, especially in dense and highly populated areas where the practice of the traditional game faces limitations, especially in terms of space.
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The potential for expanding baseball5 in Australia as a sport is tremendous. With Baseball5™, the WBSC aims to build a bridge that will spread and connect our sports around the world.
There is no need for a huge building or an exclusive venue: Baseball5 can be played on any surface, indoors or outdoors.
One of the reasons for the expansion of Baseball5 in Australia is that it adapts to any environment.
Baseball5 in Australia
Baseball5 is a true street discipline: the game can be self-regulated by teams who can agree on the basics from the start, depending on the environment, as in any informal game.
All you need is a ball, which must be rubber; it is the only equipment necessary to play.
Another aspect is the easy transfer of skills to traditional baseball/softball: Baseball5 is a fast-paced team sport where individual skills and hand-eye coordination are emphasized.
A game for all demographics: Baseball5 promotes inclusion: men, women and youth can play it, benefit from it and enjoy it at any level.
In the view of the authorities, Baseball5’s social contribution in Australia will help boost overall sports participation and physical activity among young people.
Its accessibility makes it invaluable, particularly for underserved communities.
Inclusive aspect of Baseball5 in Australia
Aspiring Baseball5 coaches in Australia can gain accreditation from the World Baseball and Softball Confederation to teach the discipline in the community, but additionally to the community with a walking disability.
Interested individuals from outside New South Wales can email melissa.achten@baseball.com.au for more information on how to take the WBSC course, which includes seven 30-40 minute videos and an assessment at the end.
They will require a valid work-with-children check for their state and must provide a headshot to register for the WBSC.
Individuals in New South Wales can contact Adrian Medina Scull at B5@baseballnsw.com.au to participate in the state program.
Medina is a Cuban athlete who has been implementing the Baseball5 proposal in Australia.
“I found out about baseball5 because I saw it on the internet and immediately called the National Federation for guidance. I played in the state baseball league here, which is below the pro, and they gave me the contact of the CEO of the NSW federation. By chance, we had coincidentally met in a baseball commercial for Gatorade a few days earlier, and that’s how it all started,” he said.
Medina explains that when he was given the position of Baseball Commissioner5 in Australia for the State Federation, he began to study all the work projects.
“Nothing like this existed at the national level. I immediately thought of sports practiced by people with disabilities and the best option to play in this discipline under those conditions: wheelchairs,” he said.
