2021 in Review - Top Stories of the Year

<!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"textColor":"vivid-red"} --> <h3 class="has-vivid-red-color"><strong>January</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:html --> <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/wbsc-launches-new-baseball-softball-history-section"><img src="https://static.wbsc.org/assets/cms/02278f2f-eb6e-f15e-2cad-d0c1f44ccdce.jpg" alt="WBSC launches new baseball-softball history section" width="100%" height="auto"></a> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <div style="height:20px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>January 2 - <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/200-days-to-softballs-historic-olympic-return-at-tokyo-2020"><strong>200 days to softball’s historic Olympic return at Tokyo 2020</strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>January 8 - <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/bianca-smith-becomes-first-ever-black-woman-to-serve-as-professional-baseball-coach"><strong>Bianca Smith becomes first Black woman to serve as professional baseball coach</strong></a><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>January 8 - <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/olympic-gold-medal-manager-tom-lasorda-dies-at-93"><strong>Olympic gold medal manager Tom Lasorda dies at 93</strong></a><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>January 25 - <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/wbsc-softball-hall-of-famer-ty-stofflet-one-of-the-greatest-of-all-time-passes-away-at-79"><strong>WBSC Softball Hall of Famer Ty Stofflet, one of the greatest of all time, passes away at 79</strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>January 29 - <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/wbsc-launches-new-baseball-softball-history-section"><strong>WBSC launches new baseball-softball history section</strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <div style="height:20px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"textColor":"vivid-red"} --> <h3 class="has-vivid-red-color"><strong>February</strong><strong></strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:core-embed/youtube {"url":"https://youtu.be/GUUFp0NYP5M","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","className":"wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed-youtube wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://youtu.be/GUUFp0NYP5M </div></figure> <!-- /wp:core-embed/youtube --> <!-- wp:html --> <div style="height:20px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>February 2 -<strong> </strong><a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/wbsc-integrity-unit-launches-safecall-safeguarding-campaign"><strong>WBSC Integrity Unit launches #SafeCall safeguarding campaign</strong></a><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>February 26 - <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/wbsc-reveals-2021-2029-calendar-for-youth-womens-baseball-world-cups-and-format-change"><strong>WBSC reveals 2021-2029 calendar for Youth, Women’s Baseball World Cups and format change</strong></a><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Februay 26 - <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/wbsc-launches-new-softball-world-cup-format-2021-2029-global-schedule"><strong>WBSC launches new Softball World Cup format, 2021-2029 global schedule</strong></a><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>February 26 - <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/wbsc-announces-baseball5-world-cup-calendar-2021-2029"><strong>WBSC announces Baseball5 World Cup Calendar 2021-2029</strong></a><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <div style="height:20px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"textColor":"vivid-red"} --> <h3 class="has-vivid-red-color"><strong>March</strong><strong></strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:html --> <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/wbsc-welcomes-reelection-of-ioc-president-thomas-bach"><img src="https://static.wbsc.org/assets/cms/a6952c90-a6fb-688c-e07e-fe0b556d5d00.jpg" alt="WBSC welcomes re-election of IOC President Thomas Bach" width="100%" height="auto"></a><div style="height:20px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>March 2 - <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/korean-pro-baseball-league-kbo-makes-changes-in-line-with-wbsc-internationalolympic-rules"><strong>Korean pro baseball league KBO makes changes in line with WBSC International/Olympic rules</strong></a><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>March 8 - <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/international-womens-day-female-trailblazers-in-mens-baseball"><strong>International Women's Day - Female trailblazers in men's baseball</strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>March 8 - <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/international-womens-day-plenty-of-trailblazers-on-and-off-the-softball-diamond"><strong>International Women's Day - Plenty of trailblazers on and off the softball diamond</strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>March 10 - <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/wbsc-integrity-unit-publishes-updated-anti-doping-educational-plan-2021-2024"><strong>WBSC Integrity Unit publishes updated Anti-Doping Educational Plan 2021-2024</strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>March 10 - <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/wbsc-welcomes-reelection-of-ioc-president-thomas-bach"><strong>WBSC welcomes re-election of IOC President Thomas Bach</strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>March 22 - <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/change-to-foul-tip-regulation-headlines-rules-update-for-wbsc-baseball-events"><strong>Change to foul tip regulation headlines rules update for WBSC baseball events</strong></a><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>March 23 - <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/new-bidding-guidelines-revealed-for-wbsc-baseball-softball-baseball5-world-cups"><strong>New bidding guidelines revealed for WBSC Baseball, Softball, Baseball5 World Cups</strong></a><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>March 29 - <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/field-renovation-project-backed-by-wbsc-completed-in-tanzanias-capital-"><strong>Field renovation project backed by WBSC completed in Tanzania's capital</strong></a><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <div style="height:20px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"textColor":"vivid-red"} --> <h3 class="has-vivid-red-color"><strong>April</strong><strong></strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:html --> <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/100-days-to-go-until-softball-at-tokyo-2020-olympic-games-wbsc-launches-new-podcast-series-the-global-game"><img src="https://static.wbsc.org/assets/cms/00c52aa8-8153-7048-9f1c-f323448e5fd1.jpg" alt="WBSC launches new podcast series - The Global Game" width="100%" height="auto"></a><div style="height:20px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>April 7 - <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/mlb-rosters-broadcast-partners-showcase-globalization-of-baseball"><strong>MLB rosters, broadcast partners showcase globalization of baseball</strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>April 12 - <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/100-days-to-go-until-softball-at-tokyo-2020-olympic-games-wbsc-launches-new-podcast-series-the-global-game"><strong>WBSC launches new podcast series - The Global Game</strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>April 13 - <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/tokyo-2020-olympics-wbsc-baseball-americas-qualifier-to-be-staged-from-31-may-to-5-june-in-the-palm-beaches-st-lucie-county-florida"><strong>WBSC Baseball Americas Qualifier to be staged in The Palm Beaches & St. Lucie County, Florida</strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>April 26 - <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/wbsc-konami-partner-to-deliver-baseball-event-at-first-ever-olympic-virtual-series"><strong>WBSC, KONAMI partner to deliver baseball event at first-ever Olympic Virtual Series</strong></a><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>April 29 - <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/softball-venue-announced-for-the-world-games-birmingham-2022"><strong>Softball venue announced for The World Games Birmingham 2022</strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>April 30 - <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/tickets-go-on-sale-for-wbscbaseball-americas-qualifier-in-florida"><strong>Fans allowed at WBSC Baseball Americas Qualifier stadiums</strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>April 30 - <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/wbsc-publishes-2019-2020-yearbook"><strong>WBSC publishes 2019-2020 Yearbook</strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <div style="height:20px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"textColor":"vivid-red"} --> <h3 class="has-vivid-red-color"><strong>May</strong><strong></strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:html --> <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/olympic-virtual-series-set-to-open-with-motor-sport-baseball-to-open-24-may"><img src="https://static.wbsc.org/assets/cms/0f18cca3-4b93-85de-b1b1-62d09f62e2f8.jpg" alt="Olympic Virtual Series Baseball" width="100%" height="auto"></a><div style="height:20px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>May 12 - <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/new-dates-announced-for-wbsc-mens-softball-world-cup-2022"><strong>New dates announced for WBSC Men’s Softball World Cup 2022</strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>May 18 - <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/covid-19-vaccine-available-for-all-teams-officials-of-wbsc-baseball-americas-qualifier"><strong>COVID-19 vaccine available for all teams, officials of WBSC Baseball Americas Qualifier</strong></a><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>May 20 - <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/wbsc-baseball-final-qualifier-for-tokyo-2020-moved-from-taiwan-to-mexico"><strong>WBSC Baseball Final Qualifier for Tokyo 2020 moved from Taiwan to Mexico</strong></a><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>May 24 - <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/olympic-virtual-series-set-to-open-with-motor-sport-baseball-to-open-24-may"><strong>Olympic Virtual Series Baseball event opens on 24 May</strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>May 27 - <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/wbsc-baseball-americas-qualifier-to-be-broadcast-in-70-countries-and-territories"><strong>WBSC Baseball Americas Qualifier broadcast in 70+ countries and territories</strong></a><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <div style="height:20px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"textColor":"vivid-red"} --> <h3 class="has-vivid-red-color"><strong>June</strong><strong></strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:html --> <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/drs-julio-rodriguez-playing-for-country-and-for-shot-at-olympics-the-most-special-baseball-ive-ever-played-in-my-life"><img src="https://static.wbsc.org/assets/cms/1a56b51c-b66f-54f5-3bfc-49661b5bc99c.JPG" alt="Julio Rodriguez playing for country and for shot at Olympics the 'most special baseball I’ve ever played in my life'" width="100%" height="auto"></a><div style="height:20px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>June 7 - <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/olympic-baseball-qualifier-generates-fan-and-media-buzz-as-usa-claims-ticket-in-final-game"><strong>Americas Olympic Baseball Qualifier generates fan and media buzz as USA claims ticket in final game</strong></a><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>June 7 - <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/todd-frazier-playing-for-your-country-one-of-the-best-things-in-my-life"><strong>Todd Frazier: Playing for your country ‘one of the best things in my life’</strong></a><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>June 7 - <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/drs-julio-rodriguez-playing-for-country-and-for-shot-at-olympics-the-most-special-baseball-ive-ever-played-in-my-life"><strong>Julio Rodriguez playing for country and for shot at Olympics the 'most special baseball I’ve ever played in my life'</strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:core-embed/youtube {"url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8mwpYHkQzo","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","className":"wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed-youtube wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8mwpYHkQzo </div></figure> <!-- /wp:core-embed/youtube --> <!-- wp:html --> <div style="height:20px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>June 13 - <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/world-softball-day-celebrated-globally-with-sports-olympic-return-less-than-40-days-away"><strong>World Softball Day celebrated globally with sport's Olympic return less than 40 days away</strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>June 16 - <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/finals-of-olympic-virtual-series-baseball-event-to-be-broadcast-worldwide"><strong>Finals of Olympic Virtual Series baseball event broadcast worldwide</strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>June 23 - <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/olympic-virtual-series-baseball-event-hits-home-run"><strong>Olympic Virtual Series baseball event hits home run</strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>June 23 - <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/olympic-day-baseball-and-softball-have-never-been-as-close-to-the-olympic-movement-as-today-says-wbsc-president-riccardo-fraccari"><strong>Olympic Day: Baseball and softball have never been as close to the Olympic Movement as today, says WBSC President Riccardo Fraccari</strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>June 28 - <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/dominican-republic-completes-field-of-teams-for-tokyo-2020-baseball-event"><strong>Dominican Republic completes field of teams for Tokyo 2020 baseball event</strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:core-embed/youtube {"url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPk9K08PVU4","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","className":"wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed-youtube wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPk9K08PVU4 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:core-embed/youtube --> <!-- wp:html --> <div style="height:20px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>June 28 - <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/new-wbsc-baseball-world-rankings-released-groups-confirmed-for-tokyo-2020-olympic-games"><strong>New WBSC Baseball World Rankings released, one month go to baseball at Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games</strong></a><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>June 28 - <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/new-softball-rankings-announced-by-wbsc"><strong>New softball rankings announced by WBSC</strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>June 28 - <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/wbsc-tokyo-2020-reveal-olympic-baseball-groups-and-schedule"><strong>WBSC, Tokyo 2020 reveal Olympic Baseball groups and schedule</strong></a><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>June 30 - <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/new-wbsc-womens-baseball-world-rankings-released-for-first-time-since-2020"><strong>New WBSC Women’s Baseball World Rankings released for first time since 2020</strong></a><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>June 30 -<strong> </strong><a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/wbsc-aims-to-keep-baseball-softball-in-the-olympic-games-at-la-28-and-beyond"><strong>WBSC aims to keep baseball, softball in the Olympic Games at LA 28 and beyond</strong></a><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <div style="height:20px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"textColor":"vivid-red"} --> <h3 class="has-vivid-red-color"><strong>July</strong><strong></strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:html --> <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/japan-repeats-as-olympic-softball-champions-behind-yukiko-uenos-two-hit-gem"><img src="https://static.wbsc.org/assets/cms/cbd6dba9-8b81-aed4-ea93-e30df6fa9840.jpg" alt="Japan repeats as Olympic softball champions behind Yukiko Ueno masterpiece" width="100%" height="auto"></a><div style="height:20px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>July 1 - <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/baseball-softball-now-being-played-in-141-countries-and-territories-with-saudi-arabia-and-bhutan-set-to-join-wbsc"><strong>Baseball, softball now being played in 141 countries and territories with Saudi Arabia and Bhutan set to join WBSC</strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>July 21 - <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/baseball-player-eddy-alvarez-will-be-one-of-two-usa-flag-bearers"><strong>Baseball player Eddy Alvarez selected Team USA flag bearer for Tokyo 2020 Olympics</strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>July 27 - <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/canada-wins-countrys-first-ever-olympic-medal-with-bronze-in-tokyo-2020"><strong>Canada wins country’s first-ever Olympic softball medal with bronze at Tokyo 2020</strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>July 27 - <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/japan-repeats-as-olympic-softball-champions-behind-yukiko-uenos-two-hit-gem"><strong>Japan repeats as Olympic softball champions behind Yukiko Ueno masterpiece</strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <div style="height:20px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <iframe frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="true" width="950" height="534" src="https://www.olympicchannel.com/video/syndicated/detail/gold-medal-game-softball-tokyo-2020-replays?partner_name=wbsc.org&partnerdomain=wbsc.org"></iframe> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <div style="height:20px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>July 27 -<strong> </strong><a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/japan-celebrates-softball-gold-medal-ueno-playing-on-home-soil-means-a-lot-of-pressure-"><strong>Japan celebrates softball gold medal. Ueno: "Playing on home soil means a lot of pressure"</strong></a><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>July 27 - <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/japans-yamato-fujita-named-tokyo-2020-softball-mvp-as-all-olympic-team-revealed"><strong>Japan's Yamato Fujita named Tokyo 2020 softball MVP as All-Olympic team revealed</strong></a><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>July 28 - <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/olympic-softball-gold-medal-game-delivers-home-run-for-the-sport-buzzes-on-social-media"><strong>Olympic softball gold medal game delivers home run for the sport, buzzes on social media</strong></a><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>July 29 - <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/olympic-medal-games-a-fantastic-day-for-softball-jessica-mendoza"><strong>Olympic medal games a ‘fantastic day’ for softball - Jessica Mendoza</strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>July 29 - <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/wbsc-president-welcomes-heads-of-ioc-and-tokyo-2020-for-celebrity-pitch-to-mark-opening-of-olympic-baseball"><strong>WBSC President welcomes heads of IOC and Tokyo 2020 for celebrity pitch to mark opening of Olympic baseball</strong></a><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <div style="height:20px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"textColor":"vivid-red"} --> <h3 class="has-vivid-red-color"><strong>August</strong><strong></strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:html --> <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/japan-tops-usa-wins-countrys-first-olympic-baseball-gold-medal"><img src="https://static.wbsc.org/assets/cms/ee2bc51b-da6a-c402-dff1-689b51340452.jpg" alt="Japan tops USA, wins country’s first Olympic baseball gold medal" width="100%" height="auto"></a><div style="height:20px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>August 3 - <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/yukiko-uenos-tokyo-2020-gold-medal-adds-to-her-legendary-caereer"><strong>Yukiko Ueno’s Tokyo 2020 gold medal adds to her legendary career</strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>August 3 - <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/wbsc-makes-special-donation-to-olympic-museum"><strong>WBSC makes “special” donation to Olympic Museum</strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>August 7 - <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/dominican-republic-wins-its-first-ever-olympic-medal-in-baseball-team-sport"><strong>Dominican Republic wins its first-ever Olympic medal in baseball, team sport</strong></a><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>August 7 - <a><strong>Dominican Republic: 'We made history'. Managers, players discuss DOM-KOR Olympic Baseball bronze medal game</strong></a><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>August 7 - <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/japan-tops-usa-wins-countrys-first-olympic-baseball-gold-medal"><strong>Japan tops USA, wins country’s first Olympic baseball gold medal</strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>August 7 - <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/inaba-we-showed-the-world-our-strength-jpn-usa-managers-players-react-to-olympic-baseball-gold-medal-game"><strong>Inaba: 'We showed the world our strength'. JPN, USA managers, players react to Olympic Baseball final</strong></a><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>August 7 - <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/wbsc-names-mvp-and-tokyo-2020-all-olympic-baseball-team"><strong>WBSC names MVP and Tokyo 2020 All-Olympic Baseball Team</strong></a><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>August 8 - <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/social-media-in-a-frenzy-as-amazing-olympic-baseball-tournament-comes-to-a-close"><strong>Social media in a frenzy as amazing Olympic Baseball Tournament comes to a close</strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <div style="height:20px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <iframe scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="true" src="https://www.olympicchannel.com/video/syndicated/detail/gold-medal-game-baseball-tokyo-2020-replays?partner_name=www.wbsc.org&partnerdomain=www.wbsc.org" width="950" height="534" frameborder="0"></iframe> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:html --> <div style="height:20px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>August 8 -<strong> </strong><a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/president-fraccari-exciting-future-for-baseball-and-softball-after-amazing-olympic-games-tournaments"><strong>President Fraccari: Exciting future for baseball and softball after amazing Olympic Games tournaments</strong></a><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>August 9 - <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/final-tournament-stats-leaders-of-the-tokyo-2020-olympic-baseball-event"><strong>Final tournament stats, leaders of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic baseball event</strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>August 9 -<strong> </strong><a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/players-managers-believe-baseballsoftball-belongs-in-the-olympics"><strong>Players, managers believe baseball and softball belong in the Olympics</strong></a><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>August 9 - <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/tokyo-2020-olympic-baseball-and-softball-generated-global-coverage-headlines"><strong>Tokyo 2020 Olympic baseball and softball generated global coverage, headlines</strong></a><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>August 11 - <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/dear-tokyo-2020-volunteers-thank-you-for-helping-deliver-unforgettable-olympic-baseball-and-softball-events"><strong>Dear Tokyo 2020 Volunteers: Thank you for helping deliver unforgettable Olympic Baseball and Softball events</strong></a><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>August 11 - <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/new-wbsc-baseball-world-rankings-released-following-tokyo-olympic-games"><strong>New WBSC Baseball World Rankings released following Tokyo Olympic Games</strong></a><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>August 13 - <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/japan-overtakes-usa-as-no-1-in-wbsc-womens-softball-world-rankings-following-tokyo-olympics"><strong>Japan overtakes USA as No. 1 in WBSC Women's Softball World Rankings following Tokyo Olympics</strong></a><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>August 27 - <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/next-wbsc-u-18-baseball-world-cup-scheduled-for-9-18-september-2022-in-florida"><strong>Next WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup scheduled for 9-18 September 2022 in Florida</strong></a><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <div style="height:20px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"textColor":"vivid-red"} --> <h3 class="has-vivid-red-color"><strong>September</strong><strong></strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:core-embed/youtube {"url":"https://youtu.be/m_yM9BbG1Ec","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","className":"wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed-youtube wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://youtu.be/m_yM9BbG1Ec </div></figure> <!-- /wp:core-embed/youtube --> <!-- wp:html --> <div style="height:20px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>September 9 - <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/baseball5-showcase-at-tokyo-2020-fan-park-a-great-success"><strong>Baseball5 showcase at Tokyo 2020 FAN PARK a great success</strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>September 13 - <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/softball-dates-announced-for-world-games-birmingham-2022"><strong>Softball dates announced for World Games Birmingham 2022</strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>September 29 - <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/three-time-olympic-softball-medalist-cat-osterman-retires-from-the-game"><strong>Three-time Olympic softball medalist Cat Osterman retires from the game</strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/three-time-olympic-softball-medalist-cat-osterman-retires-from-the-game"><img src="https://static.wbsc.org/assets/cms/f80df5ca-28ca-f804-6897-7c0e73e45537.JPG" alt="Three-time Olympic softball medalist Cat Osterman retires from the game" width="100%" height="auto"></a><div style="height:20px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>September 30 - <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/global-development-wbsc-presents-baseball5-to-african-olympic-committees"><strong>Global Development: WBSC presents Baseball5 to African Olympic Committees</strong></a><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>September 30 - <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/atsunori-inaba-retires-from-the-samurai-japan-managing-position"><strong>Atsunori Inaba retires from the Samurai Japan managing position</strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <div style="height:20px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"textColor":"vivid-red"} --> <h3 class="has-vivid-red-color"><strong>October</strong><strong></strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:html --> <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/venezuela-wins-wbsc-u-23-baseball-world-cup"><img src="https://static.wbsc.org/assets/cms/5370d3ad-4b3f-8e87-d5bd-9e3e171151b5.JPG" alt="Venezuela wins WBSC U-23 Baseball World Cup" width="100%" height="auto"></a><div style="height:20px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>October 3 - <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/colombia-beats-cuba-earns-historic-u-23-baseball-world-cup-bronze-medal"><strong>Colombia beats Cuba, earns historic U-23 Baseball World Cup bronze medal</strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>October 3 - <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/venezuela-wins-wbsc-u-23-baseball-world-cup"><strong>Venezuela wins WBSC U-23 Baseball World Cup</strong></a><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>October 3 - <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/colombias-gustavo-campero-is-the-u-23-baseball-world-cup-mvp-as-u-23-all-world-team-revealed"><strong>Colombia's Gustavo Campero is the U-23 Baseball World Cup MVP as U-23 All-World Team revealed</strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>October 6 - <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/u-23-world-champions-receive-a-decoration-in-venezuela"><strong>U-23 World Champions Venezuela receive highest honor back home</strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>October 7 - <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/australian-baseballsoftball-governing-bodies-reaffirm-support-for-2028-2032-olympic-push"><strong>Australian baseball, softball governing bodies backing 2028, 2032 Olympic push</strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>October 8 - <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/hosting-wbsc-u-23-baseball-world-cup-yields-economic-boost-to-ciudad-obregon"><strong>Hosting WBSC U-23 Baseball World Cup yields economic boost to Ciudad Obregon</strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:core-embed/youtube {"url":"https://youtu.be/yuJOJZfVtbg","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","className":"wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed-youtube wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://youtu.be/yuJOJZfVtbg </div></figure> <!-- /wp:core-embed/youtube --> <!-- wp:html --> <div style="height:20px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>October 14 - <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/new-professional-softball-league-in-usa-womens-professional-fastpitch-wpf-"><strong>New US professional softball league: Women’s Professional Fastpitch (WPF)</strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>October 20 - <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/baseball-declarednational-cultural-heritage-in-cuba"><strong>Baseball declared national cultural heritage in Cuba</strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>October 25 - <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/wbsc-partners-with-anoca-olympafrica-to-promote-baseball-softball-baseball5-in-the-african-continent"><strong>WBSC partners with ANOCA, Olympafrica to promote baseball, softball, Baseball5 on the African continent</strong></a><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <div style="height:20px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"textColor":"vivid-red"} --> <h3 class="has-vivid-red-color"><strong>November</strong><strong></strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:html --> <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/shohei-ohtani-unanimous-choice-as-mlb-american-league-mvp"><img src="https://static.wbsc.org/assets/cms/646535ac-3523-e6d9-652d-4937b8e029db.JPG" alt="Shohei Ohtani unanimous choice as MLB American League MVP" width="100%" height="auto"></a><div style="height:20px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>November 3 - <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/atlanta-braves-win-mlb-world-series-2010-u-18-baseball-world-cup-star-jorge-soler-named-mvp"><strong>Atlanta Braves win MLB World Series, 2010 U-18 Baseball World Cup star Jorge Soler named MVP</strong></a><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>November 4 - <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/nicaraguas-professional-baseball-league-launches-xvii-edition-along-with-wbsc-partnership"><strong>Nicaragua’s professional baseball league launches XVII edition along with WBSC partnership</strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>November 8 - <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/yukiko-uenos-bee-queen-three-peats-as-japan-softball-league-champions"><strong>Yukiko Ueno’s Bee Queen three-peats as Japan Softball League champions</strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>November 18 - <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/kt-wiz-sweep-doosan-bears-earn-their-first-korean-series"><strong>KT Wiz sweep Doosan Bears, earn their first KBO Korean Series title</strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>November 19 - <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/shohei-ohtani-unanimous-choice-as-mlb-american-league-mvp"><strong>Shohei Ohtani unanimous choice as MLB American League MVP</strong></a><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>November 21 - <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/new-wbsc-europe-constitution-approved-in-rome-italy-paving-the-way-for-the-future-of-european-baseball-and-softball"><strong>New WBSC Europe Constitution approved in Rome, paving the way for the future of European Baseball and Softball</strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>November 25 - <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/u-23-baseball-world-cup-chinese-taipei-ace-zhuang-chen-signs-with-oakland-as-of-mlb"><strong>U-23 Baseball World Cup Chinese Taipei ace Zhuang-Chen signs with MLB's Oakland A's</strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>November 26 - <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/olympic-gold-medalist-miu-goto-named-mvp-of-japan-softball-league"><strong>Olympic gold medalist Miu Goto named MVP of Japan Softball League</strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>November 27 - <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/tokyo-yakult-swallows-win-npb-japan-series-2021"><strong>Tokyo Yakult Swallows win NPB Japan Series 2021</strong></a><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>November 29 - <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/wbsc-first-vice-president-beatrice-allen-is-the-new-president-of-the-gambia-olympic-committee"><strong>WBSC First Vice President Beatrice Allen is the new president of the Gambia Olympic Committee</strong></a><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <div style="height:20px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"textColor":"vivid-red"} --> <h3 class="has-vivid-red-color"><strong>December</strong><strong></strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:html --> <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/usa-tops-chinese-taipei-1-0-in-final-of-wbsc-u-18-womens-softball-world-cup-in-lima-peru"><img src="https://static.wbsc.org/assets/cms/e7ed1d32-bae4-18f9-8546-f15244e70385.jpg" alt="USA tops Chinese Taipei 1-0 in final of WBSC U-18 Women’s Softball World Cup in Lima, Peru" width="100%" height="auto"></a><div style="height:20px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>December 2 - <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/africa-senegal-launches-50-000-baseball5-members-campaign-to-grow-the-sport-ahead-of-hosting-2026-youth-olympic-games"><strong>Africa: Senegal launches '50,000 Baseball5 Members' campaign to grow the sport ahead of hosting 2026 Youth Olympic Games</strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>December 12 - <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/puerto-rico-beats-mexico-claims-wbsc-u-18-womens-softball-world-cup-bronze-medal"><strong>Puerto Rico beats Mexico, claims WBSC U-18 Women’s Softball World Cup bronze medal</strong></a><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>December 12 - <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/usa-tops-chinese-taipei-1-0-in-final-of-wbsc-u-18-womens-softball-world-cup-in-lima-peru"><strong>USA tops Chinese Taipei 1-0 in final of WBSC U-18 Women’s Softball World Cup in Lima, Peru</strong></a><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>December 12 - <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/valerie-cagle-named-u-18-womens-softball-world-cup-mvp-as-u-18-all-world-team-revealed"><strong>Valerie Cagle named U-18 Women’s Softball World Cup MVP as U-18 All-World Team revealed</strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:core-embed/youtube {"url":"https://youtu.be/UTfkAA84LAk","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","className":"wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed-youtube wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://youtu.be/UTfkAA84LAk </div></figure> <!-- /wp:core-embed/youtube --> <!-- wp:html --> <div style="height:20px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>December 16 - <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/japan-baseball-softball-federations-launch-historic-new-joint-body-for-baseball5"><strong>Japan baseball, softball federations launch historic new joint body for Baseball5, youth promotion</strong></a><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dcember 20 - <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/wbsc-extraordinary-congress-new-statutes-approved-hybrid-congress-term-limits-baseball5-and-esport-amongst-key-amendments"><strong>WBSC Extraordinary Congress: New statutes approved - Hybrid Congress, Term Limits, Baseball5 and eSport amongst key amendments</strong></a><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dcember 20 - <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/iv-wbsc-congress-dates-announced-12-13-april-2022"><strong>IV WBSC Congress dates announced: 12-13 April, 2022</strong></a><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>December 20 - <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/end-of-the-year-message-from-wbsc-president-to-global-baseball-softball-community"><strong>End-of-the-year message from WBSC President to global baseball-softball community</strong></a><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>December 24 - <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/secretary-general-beng-choo-low-athletes-at-the-heart-of-wbscs-continued-innovation"><strong>Secretary General Beng Choo Low: Athletes at the heart of WBSC's continued innovation</strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>December 30 - <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/news/2021-in-review-the-wbsc-a-year-of-amazing-achievement"><strong>The WBSC: A Year of Amazing Achievement</strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->