| World Baseball Softball Confederation Europe | |
| Abbrev: | WBSC Europe |
| Aff: | World Baseball Softball Confederation |
| Headquarters: | Lausanne, Switzerland |
| Category: | Sport governing body |
| Jurisdiction: | Europe |
| Membership: | 41 |
| President: | Krunoslav Karin |
| Url: | https://www.wbsceurope.org/en |
The World Baseball Softball Confederation Europe, known as WBSC Europe, was established on February 10, 2018, during a Congress of the Confederation of European Baseball and the European Softball Federation in Val d’Europe, France. the establishment of WBSC Europe followed the historic merger of the Confederation of European Baseball (CEB) and the European Softball Federation (ESF).[1] As of September 2022, WBSC Europe counts 40 members for baseball and 39 for softball.[2]
The CEB was founded in 1953 with 5 members, which were Belgium, France, West Germany, Italy and Spain.[3]
The CEB was responsible for operating the European Baseball Championship, a championship that has been running since 1954 in Europe.[4] In 2010, there were 112,303 players in the CEB countries.[5]
The ESF was founded in 1976 with 6 members, which were Belgium, France, Italy, Germany, Netherlands, and Spain.[6]
The ESF was responsible for operating the European Softball Championships.[7]
The Confederation of European Baseball was formed in 1953. The European Softball Federation was formed in 1976, which then merged (baseball and softball) and formed into WBSC Europe in 2018.
On February 14, 2018, in Paris, France, the delegates of 38 National Baseball and Softball Federations approved the merger of the Confederation of European Baseball (CEB) and the European Softball Federation (ESF) at the joint European Baseball Softball Congress in Paris, France.[8]
In reaction to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, WBSC Europe relocated competitions that had been scheduled to be held in Russia during 2022, and excluded Russian and Belarusian teams from all its 2022 competitions.[9]
In April 1953 in Paris, France, 5 countries (Belgium, France, Germany, Italy and Spain) gave birth to the European Baseball Federation, originally named in French Féderation Européenne de Baseball (FEB). The first Executive Committee was formed by President Steno Borghese of Italy, Secretary General Roger Panaye of Belgium and Vice President and head of the Technical Commission Luis Barrio of Spain.
In 1954 the first European Championship was played in Belgium and Italy claimed the victory.
The sixth member country, the Netherlands, was accepted at the 1956 Congress in Milan.
In 1957 in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Sweden became the seventh member, and FEB became an eight-country federation in London in 1960 when Great Britain was accepted.
In 1963 FEB launched their first club competition. The first European champion of the club competition was Picadero Barcelona.
In 1967 the federations of Italy and the Netherlands announced their withdrawal from FEB and founded a new Federation: Fédération Amateur Baseball. In April 1969 the two Federations re-entered FEB.
In 1971 another Italian, Bruno Beneck, succeeded Steno Borghese during the Congress held in Milan. San Marino was accepted as the ninth member.
In 1972 the organization changed its name to European Amateur Baseball Confederation or CEBA, according to the French Confederation Européenne de Baseball Amateur.
In 1974 the first U-18 European Championship for players of age 18 and under was played. The first title went to the Netherlands. The Dutch also claimed the first U-16 title in 1975. In 1979, during the Congress in Trieste, Italy, Denmark was accepted as the 10th member.
There were already 15 member countries when, in 1985, during the Congress in Zandvoort, Netherlands, Guus Van der Heiden of the Netherlands succeeded Bruno Beneck as the president.
When Van der Heiden died, Italian Federation President Aldo Notari was elected as the 4th president of the organization during the 1987 Congress in Barcelona.
During the 1990s the number of member countries increased dramatically up to 33 by 1994, at which time it was decided to drop the word Amateur from the name of the Confederation, known since then as CEB: Confederation Européenne du Baseball in French and Confederation of European Baseball in English. CEB also created the Cup Winners Cup in 1990 and the CEB Cup in 1993.
Martin Miller of Germany, who had been part of the executive since 1995, succeeded Aldo Notari (who was nominated Honorary President) in 2005, during the Congress in Prague. Miller was confirmed as president during the 2009 Congress in San Marino. During Miller's presidency, the number of European Cups for Clubs was reduced to two. Starting in the 2009 season, only a single European Cup for Clubs is played.
Miller resigned from the presidency during the 2012 Congress in Rotterdam. Petr Ditrich of the Czech Republic was the interim president until the 2013 Congress in Bled, Slovenia, that elected Jan Esselman of the Netherlands as the new president.
In 1976 in Rome, Italy, 6 countries (Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands and Spain) gave birth to the European Softball Federation (ESF). The first Executive Committee was formed by President Bruno Benek of Italy and Secretary General Theo Vleeshhouwer of Netherlands.[10]
Highest Ranked Europe member in the WBSC Rankings
ImageSize = width:150 height:500PlotArea = left:40 right:0 bottom:5 top:10DateFormat = dd/mm/yyyyPeriod = from:31/12/2012 till:02/11/2023ScaleMajor = unit:year increment:1 start:31/12/2012TimeAxis = orientation:vertical format:yyyy
Colors = id:NED value:orange
PlotData= bar:Leaders width:25 mark:(line,black) align:left fontsize:S
from:31/12/2012 till:02/11/2023 shift:(20,-11) text:"Netherlands" color:NED
ImageSize = width:150 height:500PlotArea = left:40 right:0 bottom:5 top:10DateFormat = dd/mm/yyyyPeriod = from:31/12/2012 till:06/10/2023ScaleMajor = unit:year increment:1 start:31/12/2012TimeAxis = orientation:vertical format:yyyy
Colors = id:NED value:orange id:FRA value:blue
PlotData= bar:Leaders width:25 mark:(line,black) align:left fontsize:S
from:31/12/2012 till:22/09/2023 shift:(20,-11) text:"Netherlands" color:NED from:22/09/2023 till:06/10/2023 shift:(20,-6) text:"France" color:FRA
ImageSize = width:150 height:500PlotArea = left:40 right:0 bottom:5 top:10DateFormat = dd/mm/yyyyPeriod = from:31/12/2016 till:26/04/2023ScaleMajor = unit:year increment:1 start:31/12/2016TimeAxis = orientation:vertical format:yyyy
Colors = id:CZE value:red
PlotData= bar:Leaders width:25 mark:(line,black) align:left fontsize:S
from:31/12/2016 till:26/04/2023 shift:(20,-14) text:"Czech Republic" color:CZE
ImageSize = width:150 height:500PlotArea = left:40 right:0 bottom:5 top:10DateFormat = dd/mm/yyyyPeriod = from:31/12/2016 till:10/11/2023ScaleMajor = unit:year increment:1 start:31/12/2016TimeAxis = orientation:vertical format:yyyy
Colors = id:CZE value:red id:ITA value:blue id:NED value:orange
PlotData= bar:Leaders width:25 mark:(line,black) align:left fontsize:S
from:31/12/2016 till:17/12/2018 shift:(20,-11) text:"Netherlands" color:NED from:17/12/2018 till:31/12/2019 shift:(20,-5) text:"Italy" color:ITA from:31/12/2019 till:28/06/2021 shift:(20,-5) text:"Netherlands" color:NED from:28/06/2021 till:31/12/2022 shift:(20,-5) text:"Italy" color:ITA from:31/12/2022 till:31/07/2023 shift:(20,-14) text:"Czech Republic" color:CZE from:31/07/2023 till:10/11/2023 shift:(20,-5) text:"Italy" color:ITA
| Competition | Year | Host country | Champions | Title | Runners-up | Next edition | Dates | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baseball | ||||||||||
| European Baseball Championship | 2021 | Italy | 24th | 2023 | 24 September - 1 October | |||||
| European Under-23 Baseball Championship | 2021 | Italy | 1st | 2023 | 8-12 August | |||||
| U-18 European Baseball Championship | 2022 | Czech Republic | 1st | 2024 | ||||||
| U-15 European Baseball Championship | 2021 | Czech Republic | 3rd | 2023 | 18-22 July | |||||
| U-12 European Baseball Championship | 2022 | Austria | 2nd | 2023 | 5-9 July | |||||
| Women's European Baseball Championship | 2022 | France | 1st | 2024 | ||||||
| Softball | ||||||||||
| Men's Softball European Championship | 2021 | Czech Republic | 11th | 2023 | 24-29 July | |||||
| U-23 Men's Softball European Championship | 2022 | Czech Republic | 2025 | |||||||
| U-18 Men's Softball European Championship | 2021 | Czech Republic | 9th | 2023 | 3-8 July | |||||
| U-16 Men's Softball European Championship | 2021 | Czech Republic | 2023 | 3-8 July | ||||||
| Women's Softball European Championship | 2022 | Spain | 11th | 2024 | ||||||
| U-22 Women's Softball European Championship | 2022 | Czech Republic | 2024 | |||||||
| U-18 Women's Softball European Championship | 2021 | Czech Republic | 2nd | 2023 | 30 July - 5 August | |||||
| U-15 Women's Softball European Championship | 2022 | Netherlands | 2024 | |||||||
| Men's Slowpitch European Championship | 2022 | Italy | 2024 | |||||||
| ESF Co-Ed Slowpitch European Championships | 2022 | Slovenia | 12th | 2024 | ||||||
| Baseball5 | ||||||||||
| Baseball5 European Championship | 2020 | Lithuania | 1st | 2023 | 7-11 November | |||||
| U-17 Baseball5 European Championship | 2022 | Bulgaria |  France |  Turkey | 2024 | |||||
| Club | ||||||||||
| European Cup | 2022 | Germany |  Parma | 15th | Amsterdam Pirates | 2023 | 6-10 June | |||
| European Confederation Cup | 2022 | France | Huskies de Rouen | 2nd |  Hoboken Pioneers | 2023 | 7-11 June | |||
| European Federation Cup | 2022 | Belgium |  Astros Valencia | 2nd | Brasschaat Braves | 2023 | 19-24 June | |||
| Men’s Softball European Super Cup | 2022 | Czech Republic |  Oslo Alligators | Hørsholm Von Holmbäck Hurricanes | 2023 | 28 August - 2 September | ||||
| Women’s Softball European Cup | 2022 | Italy | Stabroek Chicaboo's | A.S.D. Avigliana Rebels | 2023 | 23-26 August | ||||
| Coed Slowpitch European Cup | 2021 | Bulgaria | Waynes Pardubice |  UCE Travellers | 2023 | |||||
Last Updated: 6 August 2023
Source:[13]
Source:[14]
Coed Slowpitch European Super Cup 2023 07/08/2023 12/08/2023
August European Softball Massimo Romeo Youth Trophy - Sport Division 2023 European Softball Massimo Romeo Youth Trophy - Sport Division 2023 16/08/2023 19/08/2023
August European Softball Massimo Romeo Youth Trophy - Future Division 2023 European Softball Massimo Romeo Youth Trophy - Future Division 2023 16/08/2023 19/08/2023
August Women’s Softball European Premier Cup 2023 Women’s Softball European Premier Cup 2023 21/08/2023 26/08/2023
August Women’s Softball European Cup Winners Cup “A” 2023 Women’s Softball European Cup Winners Cup “A” 2023 21/08/2023 26/08/2023
August Women’s Softball European Cup Winners Cup “B” 2023 Women’s Softball European Cup Winners Cup “B” 2023 21/08/2023 26/08/2023
August Women’s Softball European Cup 2023 Women’s Softball European Cup 2023 23/08/2023 26/08/2023
August Men’s Softball European Super Cup 2023 Men’s Softball European Super Cup 2023 28/08/2023 02/09/2023
October Men's European Softball Masters Cup 2023 Men's European Softball Masters Cup 2023 25/10/2023 28/10/2023
October Women's European Softball Masters 2023 Women's European Softball Masters 2023
| Association | National teams | Founded | Member since | Membership | IOC member | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ARM |  Armenia | (M, W) | 2005 | Full | |||
| AUT |  Austria | (M, W) | 1983 | Full | |||
| BLR |  Belarus | (M, W) | 1992 | Full | |||
| BEL | Belgium | (M, W) | 1975 | Full | |||
| BUL | Bulgaria | (M, W) | 1988 | Full | |||
| CRO | Croatia | (M, W) | 1986 | Full | |||
| CYP |  Cyprus | (M, W) | Full | ||||
| CZE | Czech Republic | (M, W) | 1992 | Full | |||
| DEN | Denmark | (M, W) | 2008 | Full | |||
| EST |  Estonia | (M, W) | 2016 | Full | |||
| FIN |  Finland | (M, W) | 1981 | Full | |||
| FRA | France | (M, W) | 1924 | Full | |||
| GEO |  Georgia | (M, W) | Full | ||||
| GER | Germany | (M, W) | 1950 | Full | |||
| GBR |  Great Britain | (M, W) | 1987 | Full | |||
| GRE | Greece | (M, W) | 1997 | Full | |||
| HUN |  Hungary | (M, W) | 1992 | Full | |||
| IRL |  Ireland | (M, W) | 1989 | Full | |||
| ISR |  Israel | (M, W) | 1986 | Full | |||
| ITA | Italy | (M, W) | Full | ||||
| KOS | Kosovo | (M, W) | 2006 | Full | |||
| LAT | Latvia | (M, W) | 2007 | Full | |||
| LTU |  Lithuania | (M, W) | 1992 | Full | |||
| MLT |  Malta | (M, W) | 1983 | Full | |||
| MDA |  Moldova | (M, W) | Full | ||||
| NED | Netherlands | (M, W) | 1912 | Full | |||
| NOR | Norway | (M, W) | 1991 | Full | |||
| POL |  Poland | (M, W) | 1978 | Full | |||
| POR | Portugal | (M, W) | Full | ||||
| ROU |  Romania | (M, W) | 1990 | Full | |||
| RUS |  Russia | (M, W) | 1987 | Full | |||
| SMR |  San Marino | (M, W) | 1969 | Full | |||
| SRB |  Serbia | (M, W) | 2006 | Full | |||
| SVK |  Slovakia | (M, W) | Full | ||||
| SLO | Slovenia | (M, W) | Full | ||||
| ESP | Spain | (M, W) | 1944 | Full | |||
| SWE |  Sweden | (M, W) | 1956 | Full | |||
| SUI | Switzerland | (M, W) | Full | ||||
| TUR | Turkey | (M, W) | 2001 | Full | |||
| UKR |  Ukraine | (M, W) | 1992 | Full | |||
| Association | National teams | Founded | Member since | Membership | IOC member | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AUT | Austria | (M, W) | 1983 | Full | |||
| BEL | Belgium | (M, W) | 1975 | Full | |||
| BUL | Bulgaria | (M, W) | 1988 | Full | |||
| CRO | Croatia | (M, W) | 1994 | Full | |||
| CYP | Cyprus | (M, W) | Full | ||||
| CZE | Czech Republic | (M, W) | 1963 | Full | |||
| DEN | Denmark | (M, W) | 1978 | Full | |||
| FIN | Finland | (M, W) | 1981 | Full | |||
| FRA | France | (M, W) | 1924 | Full | |||
| GEO | Georgia | (M, W) | Full | ||||
| GER | Germany | (M, W) | 1950 | Full | |||
| GBR | Great Britain | (M, W) | 1988 | Full | |||
| GRE | Greece | (M, W) | 1997 | Full | |||
| GGY | Guernsey | (M, W) | 1950 | Provisional | [15] | ||
| HUN | Hungary | (M, W) | 1992 | Full | |||
| IRL | Ireland | (M, W) | 1989 | Full | |||
| ISR | Israel | (M, W) | 1979 | Full | |||
| ITA | Italy | (M, W) | Full | ||||
| KOS | Kosovo | (M, W) | 2006 | Full | |||
| LTU | Lithuania | (M, W) | 2014 | Full | |||
| MLT | Malta | (M, W) | 1983 | Full | |||
| MDA | Moldova | (M, W) | Full | ||||
| NED | Netherlands | (M, W) | 1912 | Full | |||
| NOR | Norway | (M, W) | 1991 | Full | |||
| POL | Poland | (M, W) | 1978 | Full | |||
| ROU | Romania | (M, W) | 1990 | Full | |||
| RUS | Russia | (M, W) | 1987 | Full | |||
| SMR | San Marino | (M, W) | 1969 | Full | |||
| SRB | Serbia | (M, W) | 2005 | Full | |||
| SVK | Slovakia | (M, W) | 1991 | Full | |||
| SLO | Slovenia | (M, W) | Full | ||||
| ESP | Spain | (M, W) | 1944 | Full | |||
| SWE | Sweden | (M, W) | 1956 | Full | |||
| SUI | Switzerland | (M, W) | Full | ||||
| TUR | Turkey | (M, W) | 2001 | Full | |||
| UKR | Ukraine | (M, W) | 1992 | Full | |||
| Association | Baseball National teams | Softball National teams | Years | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Czechoslovakia | (M, W) | (M, W) | - | |
 Iceland | (M, W) | (M, W) | ||
| Serbia and Montenegro | (M, W) | (M, W) | - | |
| Soviet Union | (M, W) | (M, W) | - | |
 Tunisia | (M, W) | (M, W) | - | |
| Yugoslavia | (M, W) | (M, W) | - |
Notes