Since its inception in the early 20th century, baseball has slowly cruised up through German society and a major landmark was staged with the creation of Bundesliga (Germany's highest professional league) for this sport in 1982. Local clubs and regional leagues have expanded participation at the youth level. The Germany baseball national team has improved in international play and is a regular European Baseball Championship participant, most recently earning 3rd place at the 2019 tournament.[1]
The Netherlands is a Dutch baseball powerhouse and the history of baseball in their country goes back to when the sport was first being organized abroad, all way back since early 20th century. Dutch Honkbal Hoofdklasse Founded 1922 Continent Europe Official website of the Dutch baseball leagueikipedia. The Netherlands has produced multiple Major League Baseball (MLB) players with their national team being successful at the highest competition levels in European baseball, having won 24 times in the European Baseball Championship as of 2023.[2] The nation also made history with a fourth-place finish in the 2013 World Baseball Classic as Panama has become an international baseball power.[3]
The country has a strong baseball tradition with the Italian Baseball League (IBL) as one of Europe's top pro leagues. Founded in 1948, the IBL has been home to many high-profile players both native and foreign. The Italian National Team has great success in international competition, having won the European Baseball Championship 10 times including most recently as late at 2012. Alex Liddi became the first player born in Italy to hit a home run at the MLB level in 2011.[4]
European baseball has picked up a good amount of steam in recent years, including places like the Czech Republic and Spain. They have shown rising grassroots participation and developed more powerful domestic leagues. Over in the Czech Republic, it was a momentous achievement for its national team to qualify for the 2023 World Baseball Classic; still considered nothing more than an adult mutant ninja turtle-y sort of Tom Jonesy sport. Spain has also improved, thanks in large part to an advanced youth development system that is sending many players on its current team overseas.[5] [6]
In Europe, a number of international baseball competitions are held to help foster the growth of the game across this continent. The European Baseball Championship is the elite event on the continent, run by the Confederation of European Baseball (CEB) and featuring Europe's top national teams every other year. This tournament has developed the standard of teams across Europe, with particular growth in countries such as Germany and Spain who have been able to compete more effectively.[7]
Another major tournament is the Federations Cup, which brings together European club teams and offers many of these best clubs in Europe a stage to play at their level.[8]