President Riccardo Fraccari hails success of inaugural WBSC eBASEBALL™ Series World Finals
World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) President Riccardo Fraccari hailed the success of the WBSC eBASEBALL™ Series 2023 World Finals, held at the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, Switzerland on Saturday, 9 March 2024.
After an exciting morning of group-stage action, Japan's SHORA overcame compatriot Fujito in the final in front of an excited and engaged crowd to be crowned the inaugural WBSC eBASEBALL™ Series World Champion, having won the eBASEBALL™ tournaments at the Olympic eSport Week and Olympic eSport Series in 2021 and 2023 respectively.
President Fraccari attended the Finals, which were the first eSport event to be held at the Olympic Museum and presented the Japanese eBASEBALL™ super star with his trophy. He highlighted the excellent competition on show in Lausanne, the positive feedback from the audience and the importance of eBASEBALL™ as the WBSC continues to engage with younger generations and new fanbases.
President Fraccari said: “The WBSCeBASEBALL™ World Finals were a landmark moment for our organisation, as it wasthe first time that it has organised such an event, and the first eSport finalsto be held at the Olympic Museum. We firmly believe that the inclusion ofeSport in our baseball-softball family will help us engage with new fans,especially the younger generation, as we look for ways to continue growing ourgame globally.
“I would like to thank our publisher KONAMIfor their continued support and partnership, as well as our sponsor, the Cityof Lausanne, the Fondation Lausanne Capitale Olympique, our host the OlympicMuseum, and of course the International Olympic Committee who all joined forcesto ensure that this was a success.
“Congratulations to SHORA on earning the gold medal and the title of World Champion. All four finalists performed admirably throughout the competition and entertained us today as they showcased their excellent abilities in front of an excited crowd. SHORA, you now have an exciting future ahead, especially when you defend your title later this year at the WBSC ePremier12™, which includes the top 12 players in the world, mirroring the WBSC’s flagship tournament - the Premier12.
“Starting from April a new adventure begins, the WBSC eBASEBALL™ Series 2024, a collection of events with only one goal for all, to qualify for the ePremier12™. I invite everyone to follow and participate in this new year of gaming and I wish the best to all the players around the world who are passionate about WBSC eBASEBALL™ POWER PROS.
“We are still early in our eSport journey, but it is an exciting process to be involved in and I am confident that the WBSC will continue its role as a leader in the Olympic Movement in this area moving forward.”
IOC Sports Director Kit McConnell, Directeur de la Fondation Lausanne Capitale Olympique Sébastien Griesmar, ASOIF President Francesco Ricci Bitti and Konami's Manager of Global Business Development Shinji Namekawa joined President Fraccari to watch the WBSC eBASEBALL™ Series 2023 World Finals in the Olympic Museum.
President Fraccari and Mr Namekawa are members of the IOC eSports Commission.