Dallas (Texas-USA) "It has been 2 hard and long years since we gathered in Lausanne for the election of the new Executive Commitee of our Federation".
IBAF President Riccardo Fraccari addressed this way the delagates and hosts at the XXVI Congress of the IBAF.
Fraccari made it clear: "I do not want to limit myself to going over a list of things done over the past 2 years. At this point in time, we all need to participate and take part in the philosophy that we have of the role that the IBAF must play".
Fraccari made no mistery of the difficulties faced to reorganize the organization in a grave financal situation. Baseball's exclusion from the Olympics had a negative financial impact, since IOC's contribution went from $ 8 million over the 4 year Olympic cycle to $ 20,000 a year. The IBAF revenue went from $ 11.7 million in 2008 to $ 3.487 million in 2009.
"We had to make drastic cuts in spending" said Fraccari.
The IBAF decided despite the lack of resources to transform completely the www.ibaf.org website.
"Today we have a real hub" said Fraccari "We give massive coverage to the tournaments real time and we have included sub sites for the Continental Confederations and web pages for the National Federations".
Fraccari noted a lack of cooperation from some of the Federations: "Many of you have not even responded to any of the numerous reminders or requests, which to me reflects not only the lack of practice in participating in the IBAF. I think this is the most serious and worrisome trend that we must regret together. And together we can".
Fraccari talked about the future: "The challenges ahead of us are many and demanding: the restructuring and enhancement of our championships, with the goal (in cooperation with the professional organizations) of making our senior tournament the locomotive that pulls the train forward; the return to the Olympic program, the promotion and development of baseball in those countries in which we have little or no presence, the reorganization of the Continental Confederations. We will be able to accomplish our objectives only if we work together as a team".
Talking about the senior tournaments, Fraccari wanted to make clear: "There's been talk of the elimination of the IBAF Baseball World Cup: it is not so! Really it is the World Baseball Classic that has been 'transformed' from an invitation only tournament into a true World Championship".
Fraccari expressed a lot of pride sharing a message he received from the World Anti Doping Agency: "We consider your anti doping program to be currently in line with the Code. We congratulate you for the results achieved and encourage you to sustain your efforts in order to further develop your program".