PULLY, Switzerland; 12 April 2021 — With today marking 100 days until softball opens the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games on 21 July, the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) is pleased to announce the publication of the first edition of The Global Game, a monthly WBSC podcast featuring insight and interviews with the biggest personalities in the world of international baseball/softball. The Global Game will be presented in English and Spanish, and is available on all major podcast platforms (Spanish edition due on Wednesday).
“This new podcast is a great way to raise the profile of our sport and our athletes and to get to know their stories first-hand, especially getting closer to baseball/softball’s historic Olympic return in Tokyo in July,” said WBSC President Riccardo Fraccari. “The Global Game gives a new voice to the athletes and the personalities of our game, and will help us increase our global audience and engagement with a new, modern way to connect with our fanbase.”
The first English edition hosted by WBSC play by play broadcaster Tyler Maun, features WBSC President Fraccari, former MLB All-Star and World Baseball Classic winner Ian Kinsler and two-time Olympic medallist and softball legend Cat Osterman who said: “It’s a cool experience to be able to be the first sport that kicks off for the Olympics. I know we’re all looking forward to it. There’s a small bummer in the fact that it means we won’t be at the Opening Ceremony because we have to play. But at the same time, to be the sport that kicks off [the Olympics], all eyes will be on us and soccer to start that day, that week. It’s an honour in my opinion.”
The first edition of The Global Game in Spanish, which will be released on Wednesday, will also have WBSC President Fraccari as a special guest, along with two-time Olympic baseball medallist Jose Contreras, and Mexican Olympic Softball Team catcher, Sashel Palacios. The Spanish version is presented by Venezuelan radio personality Adriana Flores.
The Global Game logo represents the global nature of baseball/softball with the baseball and larger softball positioned on top of a bat symbolising the moon/sun and the universe where earth is the focal point for the bat and ball sport. The letter g outline of the logo also showcases a player throwing a ball.