WBSC Europe recommends to consider players from Ukraine as home players
Following a request from the Ukraine Baseball and Softball Federation, the World Baseball Softball Confederation Europe (WBSC Europe) sent out a recommendation to its National Federations members to have Ukrainian baseball and softball players considered as home players.
Considering the 2022 Ukrainian refugee crisis, WBSC Europe sent out a recommendation to the Baseball and Softball European National Federation for Ukrainian athletes to be recognised as home players, applying no restrictions when playing.
The decision rests solely with WBSC Europe Federation members.
WBSC Europe President Kruno Karin stated: "the WBSC Europe Executive Board would recommend this recognition taking into consideration the dire situation in Ukraine today. Thank you for your consideration in this matter".
WBSC Europe previously expressed its solidarity with Ukraine, the Ukrainian people, and the baseball/softball family in Ukraine and excluded Russian and Belarusian teams from all the 2022 competitions.
In line with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) task force to support the Ukrainian Olympic Community, the WBSC, WBSC Europe and local organising committees will grant support to the Ukraine Baseball Softball Federation to cover a major part of the cost related to accommodation, board and transport during its participation in European Championships in 2022.