Five national squads - France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, and the Netherlands - are taking the field for the inaugural Blind Baseball European Championship.
The Opening Round of the event will take place on Saturday, October 7, and the Playoffs on Sunday, October 8.
The championship kicks off with a clash between France and Germany on Saturday, October 7. The second game of the day features Great Britain and the Netherlands. Hosts Italy step onto the field against France. The home team aims to make a statement in front of their fans.
A total of 10 games will be played in the opening round of the first-ever Blind Baseball European Championship. The top four teams will then advance to the semifinals on Sunday, October 8.
The playoffs kick off with the first semifinal, where the teams that finished fourth and first in the opening round face off. The second semifinal features the teams that finished third and second in the opening round.
Teams that fell short in the semifinals compete for the bronze medal, while the two semifinal winners face off for the title of European Champion.
The complete schedule of the Blind Baseball European Championship is available on the WBSC Europe event's website.
The Italian Baseball Blind Association (AIBXC), together with the Italian Baseball and Softball Federation (FIBS) and WBSC Europe, worked hard to achieve what has been defined as "an important milestone along our Paralympic journey" by Alberto Mazzanti, AIBXC President.
Aiming to spread the knowledge of the discipline, AIBXC is organising a clinic for coaches and umpires on the day prior to the start of the Championship.
WBSC Europe Leadership is enthusiastic about the inclusion of this parasport competition in the portfolio of its events, following the WBSC Blind Baseball International Cup 2022, held in Beek, Netherlands, where five of the six participants were European.
The Blind Baseball European Championship 2023 promises a superb weekend of sportsmanship, resilience, and talent, showcasing the passion and teamwork in the world of blind baseball.
Cover photo by Huub Keulers x WBSC
