WBSC President Riccardo Fraccari was pleased with the inaugural Baseball5 World Cup ©Getty Images

The World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) President Riccardo Fraccari has hailed the first edition of the Baseball5 World Cup as a "huge success", following the tournament being held earlier this month in Mexico City.

It comes after the WBSC Executive Board met for the first time since the WBSC World Congress in Taiwan in July.

This virtual meeting covered the eight events held in 2022, as well as the three still to be held before the end of the year - Virtual Cup Finals, Men's Softball World Cup in New Zealand and Under-12 Mixed Softball World Cup.

Fraccari was particularly content with the first Baseball5 World Cup, held in Mexico from November 7 to 12, when summarising events.

Cuba defeated Japan in the final at El Zócalo, the main square in Mexico City, while Chinese Taipei defeated Venezuela for bronze.

"I could not imagine a better place to celebrate this special moment," said Fraccari to Board members regarding Mexico.

"It was a huge success and El Zócalo was amazing, I wish you could have all felt the special vibe that this World Cup gave us.

"This Baseball5 World Cup was so successful we now have to think how we proceed with the Baseball5 Youth World Cup and for that I want to make sure it’s a festival, educational aspect in addition to the sports element."

Baseball5's first World Cup was recently held in Mexico ©WBSC
Baseball5's first World Cup was recently held in Mexico ©WBSC

The inaugural Baseball5 Youth World Cup is one of the 13 events scheduled for 2023, as well as seven Softball World Cups, four Baseball World Cups and a Slowpitch World Cup.

Baseball5 is set to be on the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games programme.

Also at the meeting, the WBSC Executive Board reviewed the tournament structures following the COVID-19 pandemic, while the Board also approved amendments to keep its ethics and integrity standards up to date.

Continental Associations in future are to receive a score to evaluate the level of its activities and quality of governance going forward thanks to a new development agreement.

This can determine where funds are allocated from the WBSC.

"I believe that this system will empower our continental associations giving them the opportunity to become more responsible and relevant in their regions, where they should have the proper knowledge and workforce to manage the resources in the best way," added Fraccari.