The Italian Baseball League's Fortitudo Bologna will be the first European side to enter the series after seeing off stiff competition in this year's European Cup in a field that included teams from the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, San Marino, and Spain.

World Baseball and Softball Confederation (WBSC) co-President Riccardo Fraccari has hailed the announcement of the expansion, which he hopes will see the sport continue its policy of globalisation despite the disappointment last month of missing out on regaining its place on the Olympic programme for 2020.

Fortitudo Bologna celebrate winning the European Cup to see them become the first European team to enter the Asia Series

"Having a European team in the 2013 Asia Series is a historic landmark that further validates not only our sport's continued rise in Europe, but also the worldwide development and appeal of baseball as a whole," he said.

"The inclusion of Europe will enrich the Asia Series and further its reach strategically."

Fraccari went on to praise the Asia Series Executive Board for their decision.

"The WBSC fully shares this vision of a unifying 'Worldwide Series' and endorses this new pathway for European clubs to be included in an elite international competition like the Asia Series," he said.

"This platform will provide ballplayers in Europe with an exciting new opportunity to showcase their talents, while further increasing interest in and exposure to European baseball in key regions and markets - and in Europe itself - which will ultimately add value across the board for European clubs, leagues and National Federations moving forward."

The Asia Series has been dominated by the NPB with wins in five out of the six years it has taken place.

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