In addition to WBSC Baseball and WBSC Softball elections, key agenda items include reviews of the Olympic baseball and softball qualifying system, the WBSC Constitution and new applicants for WBSC membership, as well as the awarding of hosting rights for future Baseball World Cups and Softball World Championships.

Hosted at the Gaborone International Convention Centre, the Congress is due to last until Saturday (October 14).

"The World Baseball Softball Congress in Gaborone will be an important gathering of baseball's and softball's leaders to discuss and shape the future direction and international expansion of our global sport," said WBSC President Riccardo Fraccari.

"WBSC is grateful to the Botswana Softball Association and the Botswana National Sports Commission for welcoming the World Baseball Softball family to the great city of Gaborone."

Elections will be held for positions within WBSC Baseball and WBSC Softball.

There are 15 nominated candidates for seven available posts at WBSC Baseball and 22 nominated candidates for seven available posts in WBSC Softball.

The agenda also includes meetings of the WBSC Executive Board, the WBSC Baseball Executive Committee, the WBSC Softball Board of Directors, the Continental Baseball and Softball Confederations, the Francophone Association of Baseball Softball and various Commissions.

Future hosts of the Baseball World Cups and Softball World Championships will be awarded, including the rights to host next year's Under-15 Baseball World Cup, Under-23 Baseball World Cup and Women's Baseball World Cup.

WBSC will also crown a number of award winners.

These include prizes for National Federation of the Year, Baseball Player of the Year, Softball Player of the Year, National Team Baseball Coach of the Year and National Team Softball Coach of the Year.

New members will also be inducted into the WBSC Softball Hall of Fame.