Changing of the Guard at the IBAF – Part II

Written by: Jerry Milani on 1st December 2009

Changing of the Guard at the IBAF - Part II | read this item

Here is Part II of the interview with outgoing IBAF President Dr. Harvey Schiller on the state of the game internationally.

For Part I, click here.

BBD: Should baseball try again for 2020?
HS: My recommendation is no. If the Olympic movement wanted baseball it would have brought the sport back for 2016. The cost associated with pushing for re-instatement again pulls monies away from developing the game, and in a challenged economy that is not a smart thing to do. We should continue to grow our international events and find new business partners, and if the Olympic movement would like us back we will be open to that. However pursuing the Olympics again I believe is a waste. The ultimate decision however will be up to the new board and the new president.

BBD: What are the biggest challenges the new president will face?
HS: I think finding funding in those countries whose federations are run by government monies tied to the Olympics will be the biggest challenge. Baseball in established countries will continue to grow, the biggest challenge will be helping those smaller countries where the sport is just taking root to get the funds necessary to grow grassroots programs. The relationships with the Major Leagues also has to continue to develop and stay positive. Many forget that the World Baseball Classic contributed $15 million (USD) to the IBAF and its federations for development of the game, and MLB completely funded our Olympic effort as well. That relationship has to stay healthy, and we need to continue to move forward with relationships with the professional leagues in Japan, Korea and Chinese Taipei as well.

BBD: What are the biggest opportunities the new president will have?
HS: One of the biggest surprises for me in the last few months was the interest at the grassroots level for women’s and girls baseball. There are thousands of young women who play the game and then switch to softball or other sports in their teens because of lack of opportunity. That I think is a big growth area. I also think that the professionals now see that representing their country is much more important to them than they ever thought possible, so growing a top tier international event like the WBC is very important for the development of the game.

credit: bobtheking, scx.hu

BBD: Do you think baseball at the professional level and at the grassroots level can work effectively together?
HS: Yes and I think we have proved that the relationship between the two, which some people saw as mutually exclusive, is very beneficial to all. If you look at other sports…basketball for example, and see how the NBA works with all the grassroots organizations around the world to grow the game…you see a healthy working relationship. That is what we have started with baseball and should continue. The IBAF can be a very strong conduit for the professional leagues to grow the game in emerging countries, and that grows MLB’s fan base. Our efforts have provided grassroots support around the globe, and have included the help of local and federal governments, organizations like Ripken Baseball, and many former players who are now more involved with the growth of the game than ever before. All very positive to show how one side benefits the other

BBD: Will you stay involved in baseball?
HS: I have told everyone I would like to help in any way. This past summer I was asked to join the board of the Baseball Hall of Fame, so that will also keep me involved as well on some level. I admit I was a fan of baseball before this process, but now I really see the value of the game at all levels as a social unifier and a game for all, and it was very frustrating to me that the IOC did not see that value that so many others see. Therefore anything I can do to help grow that global presence I will do.

BBD: What do you see for the future of baseball?
HS: I think it is very bright. The growth in emerging nations and across Europe at the grassroots level has to be cultivated, as that will build a new fanbase. The partnership with MLB and the NPB has to continue to evolve, and the ability to be a unifier for all the groups involved in the game, from the manufacturers to the various bodies that run the sport at every level from Teeball on up, has to continue. In one of the worst economic years on record, baseball grew in exposure and stayed on par with revenue, and that says a great deal about where the sport sits on a global basis. We must continue to tell the story of baseball to its ardent fans and its recent and potential converts, and if we continue to do that the game will grow around the world.

Topics: Biggest Surprises, Chinese Taipei, Dr Harvey, Government Monies, Grassroots Level, Grassroots Programs, IBAF, Japan Korea, MLB, New Business Partners, New President, Olympic Movement, Olympics, President Dr, Professional Leagues, Schiller, State Of The Game, Taking Root, world baseball classic, Young Women