30 MARCH 2025
In a join partnership and collaboration with Palau Softball Federation, Palau Baseball Federation and Ministry of Education, a new sport Baseball5 is being introduced into the Elementary School PE program. We are thankful for Dean Terry, MOE Sport Specialist and Yoshiaki Arai, JICA Baseball Coach, for conducting a six-hour of In-class session followed by Field practical “hands on” experience of what Baseball5 is all about. A total of ten PE teachers from the elementary schools of Aimeliik, Angaur, KES, Meyuns, GBH, Melekeok, Ngaraard, Ngardmau and Ngaremlengui learned and walked away excited to introduce the new sport to target Grades 3,4 & 5, as a start.
Baseball5 is the new five-on-five urban discipline of Baseball Softball. It is inclusive, accessible, and cost-effective. Baseball5 will bring our sport to places that were not possible before. It was first showcased in Havana, Cuba in 2017, and two years after its launched, Baseball5 has reached over 30 countries across the continents. Six years after its launch Baseball5 has consolidated its position within the Olympic Movement and it looks forward to making its debut at the Youth Olympic Games.
Baseball5 or B5 features:
- Accessible – eliminates all entry barriers to Baseball Softball rules, cost and time have all been minimized for easy access to attract a new audience.
- Inclusive – designed as a mixed-gender discipline, boots gender balance among communities and helps to introduce Baseball Softball into the school system.
- Sustainable – a rubber ball made of recycled or natural material is the only equipment needed. Baseball5 has no impact on the environment and work also as an educational tool.
- Urban – designed for urban settings, Baseball5 need no dedicated venue as it can be adapted to any flat surface – indoor or outdoor gym, parking lot, level grass area are examples.
- Youth-focused – following the trend of quicker and more dynamic games, Baseball5 targets new generation of young players.
Baseball5 for Schools is:
- Low Liability-contact free game and less risk of injuries.
- Gender-balanced-boys and girls have the same importance within the game.
- Cost effective-minimal impact on school budgets.
- Adapts to environment-playable in existing facilities and surroundings.
- Quick to teach and learn-short and simple rules, easy to understand for everyone.
- Easy to play-Open to all ages and sizes.
- Educational value-values are sustainable, teamwork, strategic thinking and concentration are rewarded.
Baseball Softball Federations extends its appreciation to its Partners and look forward to introducing this as a health & wellness sport in the ministries and state communities. For more information on Baseball5, visit WBSC.org and look for the tab on BASEBALL5. This is open to private schools and anyone interested may email to aliibelau@gmail.com (Carol Ngiraidis).
Photos/Story contributed by Carolyn D. Ngiraidis – Vice-President, Palau Softball Federation