Press Release International Baseball Federation, www.ibaf.org
TAIPEI, Chinese Taipei — IBAF President Riccardo Fraccari today announced the signing of a supplier agreement with Brett Brothers Baseball Equipment Company. The 3-year deal includes bats and cash and will bolster IBAF in its effort to develop the game globally.
‘This is a significant deal and shows the game of baseball is global, with companies located all around the world capable and willing to partner with IBAF to better develop the game,” Fraccari said at the press conference held at the United Hotel next to city hall in downtown Taipei.
President Fraccari also received many questions relating to an Olympic reinstatement, IBAF’s relationship with the International Softball Federation and the future outlook of the IBAF. “Our views are the same; we remain committed to returning baseball and softball to the Olympic program. We have a plan, and we are confident we will make our case heard to the International Olympic Committee, “stated Fraccari.
The cooperation of MLB was also brought into question; however, President Fraccari declined to make public any specific details regarding current talks going on with MLB, instead stating “we will know more in June and July.”
Fraccari travels back to Rome, but will be headed to New York in the coming weeks to engage further discussions with MLB. Prior to this, Fraccari will meet with IOC members in Lausanne.