From the streets of Havana to the World Stage: Reinaldo Batista Fernandez and the spirit of Baseball5
When Reinaldo Batista Fernandez speaks about Baseball5, his words carry both the authority of an expert and the passion of someone who has witnessed the sport grow from its earliest days. A Cuban specialist in baseball, Batista has spent more than three decades dedicated to the game. Today, he serves as an advisor to the WBSC Refugee Team, guiding a new generation of athletes as they step onto the global stage at the WBSC Youth Baseball5 World Cup 2025.
For Batista, the story of Baseball5 begins in 2017, when WBSC President Riccardo Fraccari challenged the federation to create a discipline that would capture the imagination of young people while staying true to baseball’s essence. The inspiration came from the streets of Cuba, where generations of children grew up playing cuatro esquinas - a street version of baseball. With one important twist - five players instead of four -the foundation for Baseball5 was born.
“We wanted Baseball to have its urban version, just like basketball has 3x3,” Batista recalled. “It had to be fast, exciting, and played in small spaces. Accessible to everyone.”
The first official Baseball5 tournament took place in Havana in November 2017, with four of the city’s largest universities fielding teams. Batista managed the University of Sport squad, which went on to win the championship and claim the first-ever gold medal in an international Baseball5 competition. “It was a dream come true,” he told the WBSC on the sidelines of the WBSC Youth Baseball5 World Cup 2025. “To see a street game we all played as children become an official sport, it was a very beautiful experience.”
Since then, Baseball5 has grown rapidly, embraced by nations on every continent. Its accessibility, minimal equipment needs, and fast-paced action have made it a natural fit for schools, communities, and now, major international competitions. “Baseball5 is just seven years old, but its growth has been incredible,” Batista explained. “The sport has spread worldwide, and the upcoming Youth Olympic Games in Dakar 2026 will be another milestone in its journey.”
For Batista, who turns 59 on the first day of the WBSC Youth Baseball5 World Cup 2025, working with the WBSC Refugee Team has added a new and deeply personal dimension to his career. “This team is very special,” he says. “The boys and girls come from difficult circumstances, but they bring passion, respect, and determination to the game. For them, Baseball5 is not only about sport, it’s about joy, opportunity, and hope.”
It is also the first time Batista has worked with athletes from Arab countries, an experience he describes with admiration. “They are young people of great character, education, and kindness. They deserve the chance to grow in this sport, and if I can help them in any way, I will. Their dreams of becoming Baseball5 players are worth fighting for.”
From the streets of Havana to the international spotlight, Batista’s journey mirrors the rise of Baseball5 itself - a sport rooted in community, driven by creativity, and destined for a bright future. As the Youth Baseball5 World Cup unfolds in Nayarit, his work with the Refugee Team is a reminder that Baseball5 is more than a game: it is a vehicle for unity, resilience, and inspiration.