The newly introduced Baseball 5 is a five-on-five, five-inning street version of the game of baseball and softball that can be played anywhere. World Baseball Softball Confederation Africa secretary-general, Francis Njeru Karugu told Mmegi Sport that Baseball 5 is the best for Africa and it has the potential to grow.
He said Baseball 5 does not need any equipment and it is cheap. “BSA has not taken up Baseball 5 and neighbouring countries such as South Africa and Zambia have introduced the sport.
My request is for Botswana softball to take up Baseball 5 so that we can move together as Africa and conquer the world. In softball, we still have a long way to go, with only Botswana and South Africa being the only countries that can afford to build a diamond,” he said. Karugu, who is in Gaborone for the World Cup Africa softball qualifiers, said without proper competition, it is impossible to reach other countries.
“Initially, there were no qualifiers, most of the time they were giving South Africa a chance to go to the world championships. We thought it is better to have qualifiers for every championship.
So far, we have had four qualifiers; girls Under-15 baseball (won by Uganda), boys Under-18 softball (won by South Africa), Under-12 boys baseball won by Uganda, Under-18 boys baseball also won by Uganda,” he said. Karugu said eight countries had expressed interest in the softball senior women's qualifiers, but due to financial constraints in Africa, four teams cancelled. He said the qualifiers aim to have two teams going to the World Cup group stages. He said the senior women's softball championship at the top level has been divided into two; group stage and the top six countries will play in the World Cup. “The group stage qualifiers will be hosted in Spain, Ireland, and Italy in July.
Each of the two countries that will qualify in Gaborone will play group stages in Ireland and the other one in Spain,” he said. Karugu said for now softball is developing one step at a time in the continent, adding that the ongoing qualifiers are the best to be held in Africa. He said previous championships in South Africa had one or two countries attending. He said it is the first time that Kenya and Lesotho are competing in the qualifiers. Karugu said it was a good thing for Lesotho and Kenya to bring young players for exposure, because they know they will not win.
He said all along it has always been Botswana and South Africa. Karugu said at the top level it is difficult for any African country to win, because they play against countries that have been playing softball for a long time such as Japan and USA. “The reason why softball is not growing in the continent is that the equipment is expensive and not easily available in Africa besides in South Africa,” he said.
