Michael Schmidt has become the first one in this series. Michael Schmidt, the executive director of the World confederation of baseball and softball, shares his thoughts towards international baseball.
Does WBSC rely on the new mass media to make baseball more popular?
Yes, of course we greatly rely on mass media because nowadays media plays a great role in world society. They propose a great amount of interesting information including useful information about baseball and softball as well. Of course we are very proud these spots have already become international ones. And we are still trying to use more and more various media; especially it concerns social networks. We do it for the baseball and softball promotion via social networks because today more and more people are active users of new technologies.
What are the long-terms goals of WBSC?
We have been already organizing the regular baseball championships U12 and U23. In general softball also has a lot of championships. Concerning the organization, advertising, broadcasting, sponsors and so on we work hard every day to place these championships on the highest level.
Baseball and softball will become part of the Olympic Games 2020. Was it difficult to convince the IOC to include them in the program?
Tokyo helps us a lot in this issue, because these sports are well developed and popular in Japan. In order to become the Olympic sport, it is necessary to have great support, which includes financial aspects as well. The IOC president, Thomas Bach, made wise decision allowing host cities of the Olympic Games to participate in the choosing of additional sports in the games program. Therefore, he has made enough in order we receive positive result. And it is unimportant where the next games will be. Whether Olympics will be in Paris or in Los Angeles, no matter, we want to participate in these competitions.
It must be noted we had more difficulties deciding to unite Federation of baseball and Federation of softball in one organization. Before we hadn’t had a specific model how two organizations with such a long history can be united and work well. Each of them has its own vision on certain issues; therefore it was difficult to reach a consensus.
You were responsible for the “Back to Olympics” campaign. Can you say today your dream has come true?
We still have enough work to do. Today there are even more issues after baseball and softball became the Olympic sports. There is a question whether they are necessary there? And I can say yes, they are very necessary. It was my own dream, and it is not because I am a die-hard fan of these sports, but because both baseball and softball have great potential which hasn’t been used before. I think taking into account achievements, world championships and number of fans who enthusiastically support favorite teams and visit matches it is obvious baseball and softball undoubtedly have to be part of the Olympic Games.
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