The WBSC and Virtus will work together to promote baseball and softball ©WBSC

The World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) is set to work with the International Sports Federation for Athletes with an Intellectual Impairment (Virtus) to promote baseball and softball.

WBSC President Riccardo Fraccari signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with his Virtus  counterpart Marc Truffaut.

Virtus is a founding member of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC).

"This MOU with Virtus marks a significant step in the WBSC's continuous effort to grow baseball and softball and increase accessibility to our sport," President Fraccari said.

"We are committed to seeking recognition by the IPC and have baseball/softball a sport on the programme of the Paralympic Games by Brisbane 2032."

By working together, the WBSC has agreed to have an intellectual impairment class at future events where possible and promote inclusion.

  

The agreement will also see WBSC become a member of Virtus and appoint a representative to sit on the Virtus  Sports Council.

"Virtus is really pleased to embark on this new partnership with the WBSC to grow baseball/softball for players with an intellectual impairment," said Virtus executive director Nick Parr.

Parr will join the WBSC Paralympic Commission as chairperson.

"We work closely with several International Sports Federations, and this latest agreement represents an exciting new opportunity for us."

The WBSC Paralympic Commission is also hoping to create a Baseball5 version for athletes with an intellectual impairment as part of its Strategic Plan 2022-2028.