When the Kenya National Baseball5 team defeated Uganda in the semi-finals of the Inaugural Baseball5 World Cup Qualifiers for the Africa region (Kenya 8 - Uganda 7, Kenya 8 - Uganda 6) in Dar es Salaam this past May, the Kenyan team of women and men exploded with energy off the bench. The celebratory moment was shared around the globe by the World Baseball and Softball Confederation (WBSC) Baseball5 Instagram channel. But it was more than a feel-good moment; it represented a historic victory on the global stage for Kenya as much as it represented a historic moment for the rapidly growing game of Baseball5.
In their victory, Kenya not only secured a spot to go to the first-ever Baseball5 World Cup set to be held this November in Mexico City, but they also swept (2-0) their formidable baseball and softball rival in the region. Uganda, a dominant force in men's baseball is ranked 2nd highest in Africa (43rd globally), nearly 20 places behind 23rd-ranked South Africa. Even though Kenya ultimately lost in the final African championship series (5-4 and 5-1) to a South African squad that enjoys rapid adoption of the game in their country, they also earned a spot to Mexico City alongside their opponent.
Baseball5 is played on a smaller tennis court-sized square area (42.5 feet between bases; baseball is 90 ft and softball/Little League is 60 ft.) and is defined by the WBSC as "an urban version of the classic games of baseball and softball. It is a fast, young and dynamic discipline that follows the same founding principles of its parent disciplines. Baseball5™ can be played everywhere and requires only a rubber ball."
"Facing Uganda in the semis was competitive but we made a statement that there is a strong baseball foundation in Kenya. We also had the zeal to perform," said Dennis Katumo, captain of Kenya's Baseball5 team, who is also the captain of the men's national baseball team and recently elected WBSC Africa Athlete representative Baseball.
Dennis is a graduate of the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) where he played on the Univerity's baseball team. JKUAT is where IfWeBuildIt.org is helping to build the Nairobi region's first baseball field and the continent's first baseball, softball, and Little League multi-field complex.
"On a scale of 1-10, we'd say this victory was a 9 because we gave it our best. That was an achievement for us on the global stage," said Katumo.
Ranked 57th globally in men's baseball, Kenya is often outdueled by Uganda, where baseball has been actively developed through skills and field development since the early 2000s. In 2012, baseball and softball in Uganda established a home-field advantage in the region with the development of the National Friendship Stadium located north of Uganda's capital Kampala, in Gayaza.
While it was a surprise in the global baseball world that Uganda beat the Dominican Republic in the Little League World Series in 2015, it wasn't to most in the East Africa region. Uganda's rise to global baseball prominence has come as a result of the investment in skills and players, but also most importantly, fields. The Uganda story has been very telling; where there is access to formal fields, the playing field can be levelled for African teams in international competitions.
And that's what makes Baseball5 so exciting for the continent, said Angelo Vicini, WBSC Treasurer and Chair of the WBSC Development Commission. In a WBSC article following Kenya and South Africa's qualifying for the first Baseball5 World Cup, Vicini said that providing access to Baseball5 in countries without fields can showcase the talent and ability of the players across the continent.
"It's historical to see an African Qualifier to a WBSC World Cup with nine participating National Teams. Let me also add that the level of play was impressive. As the WBSC, we believe the Baseball5 African Championship will represent a milestone in development."
Vicini added: "Africa has always faced challenges because of the lack of dedicated baseball/softball venues. Baseball5 offers a great opportunity to the National Federations. I think Africa can compete on the Baseball5 World Stage, and this will get more attention from the Olympic Committees and the local governments."
Now, with weeks to go until their matchups against some of the world's best baseball countries (11 nations in all from five continents), the Kenya National team is in training camp to bolster their chances at bringing home the first Baseball5 World Cup.
When asked what Kenya's appearance in the Baseball5 World Cup means for the future of baseball and softball in the country, Dennis Katumo looked ahead to the rapid growth players could experience with increased interest in the game and access to formal fields.
"Our appearance shows that there's room for growth and improvement, especially if players are open to learning. Also, there is undiscovered talent out here for this sport. We need to create opportunities to showcase young talent," said Katumo, pointing to the opportunities the new fields at JKUAT will bring to Kenya, as well as increased interest in Baseball5.
"Baseball5 prepares the young generation for real baseball, and as a result, interest is created," he concluded.
With a World Cup-caliber Baseball5 team, both men and women actively involved in baseball and softball across the country, and healthy and active national federations (Baseball Federation of Kenya and Softball Federation of Kenya), this appearance could be a sign of things to come on the global stage across the WBSC categories for Kenya.
Participation, let alone victory in Mexico for Kenya, will be one of the most valuable moments to raise awareness for the game, in a country that continues to prove that anything is possible.
Kenya's National Baseball5 team is actively raising funds to support their trip to Mexico City.
