Baseball5: The Urban Heroes of the Future

(Guest Author: Koos van Duijn)

Baseball5 is a young, dynamic sport that’s rapidly taking the world by storm. This spectacular new variant of baseball has an energetic and accessible style of play, making it ideal for a wide audience, regardless of location or playing surface. In this blog, we explore the development of Baseball5, its origins, the dedicated pioneers behind it, and the exciting future it faces, including its Olympic debut at the 2026 Youth Olympics in Dakar and potentially even a spot in the 2032 Olympic Games in Australia.

Baseball5 originated in Cuba and other Latin American countries, where baseball has long been a popular form of entertainment. However, in many communities, players couldn't afford the expensive gloves and protective equipment required for traditional baseball. As a result, an alternative form of the game developed, focused on creativity and improvisation. Using homemade, soft balls and makeshift bases made from clothing or chalk on hard ground, anyone could join in.

In 2018, the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) decided to formalize and promote this raw but energetic form of baseball as Baseball5. The new sport is simple, fast-paced, and requires no costly equipment or large fields. In the Netherlands, Baseball5 officially launched in 2019 with the first Open Dutch Championship in Utrecht. In just a few hours, sixteen teams played an impressive 28 games, with Team Bedrocks from Emmen winning the first championship title.

Baseball5 is played in five innings, and a match can be over in as little as fifteen minutes. The sport requires quick reflexes and explosive actions, leading to spectacular diving catches, fast base hits, and sometimes even triple plays. Baseball5 can be played anywhere, contributing to its popularity in urban environments.

The playing field is compact, with fixed dimensions and simple rules. The main game rules can be found on the official website, along with training videos to help improve essential skills, such as hitting, base running, and fielding.

The growth of Baseball5 in the Netherlands and Europe is driven by a few passionate pioneers. Erik Eilering, head coach of Team NL, is responsible for the technical development of the Dutch team and is active internationally within the WBSC. Together with Dany Ortega, a key official for WBSC Europe, Erik organizes clinics and training programs for coaches and referees across Europe. Dany also works with his brother Tany Ortega, offering clinics throughout the Netherlands and beyond, while Cheyenne van der L'Isle, a trainee official, is helping to promote the sport, especially in the Amsterdam region.

“Our goal is to make Baseball5 bigger and more well-known in the Netherlands and Europe by organizing clinics and training programs,” says Dany Ortega. “This year alone, Erik and I have already given clinics in Estonia and Croatia. It’s great to do!”

Baseball5 is making strides toward a global audience. From October 7 to 12, 2024, the Baseball5 World Cup took place in Hong Kong, where twelve countries competed for the world title. In the end, Cuba, Venezuela, Chinese Taipei, Japan, France, and Mexico qualified for the prestigious SuperRound, which determines the world’s best Baseball5 nations.

Upcoming events include the Dutch Championship in March 2025. Baseball5 is also set to make its Olympic debut at the Youth Olympics in Dakar in 2026. The pioneers of Baseball5 hope the sport will secure a spot in the 2032 Olympic Games in Australia. “We’re definitely committed to making it happen,” says Dany Ortega.