25/05/2026
ifications
Mario Signorello
CEO at Caribbean Baseball Organization
Today, we are highlighting four African nations where enthusiasm for baseball is thriving despite a lack of dedicated facilities. In Ethiopia, Malawi, Madagascar, and the Ivory Coast, active clubs and organizers are focused on their most valuable asset: children who are passionate about playing and growing the sport. Ethiopia: As the third-largest country in Africa by population, Ethiopia is currently developing the Addis Sports Park. While the plans do not yet include baseball, James Ryan—an Ethiopian living in Washington, D.C.—is working to change that. He is assembling a national team of second-generation Ethiopian teenagers from the D.C. area to collaborate with the Bekoji Baseball Club. Adding a baseball diamond to the Sports Park would be a transformative step for the sport there. Malawi: Introduced in 2024 by a teacher from the United States, baseball has grown rapidly in Malawi. Mr. Somba Austine has since formed a federation, and in 2025, the Japan Africa Baseball & Softball Foundation (J-ABS) began sending coaches to train local players and staff. Malawi is now preparing to host Zambia for a friendly competition in 2026. Madagascar: The Madagascar Baseball & Softball Association has been active for 25 years. The ONG and Papango Madagascar Club welcome players of all ages, and the Italian Blind Baseball Association has also been instrumental in promoting the sport across the country. Ivory Coast: Under the Ivory Coast Baseball Softball Federation, the sport is a steadily growing niche. Local leaders are using grassroots youth programs, international partnerships, and short-form disciplines to address infrastructure challenges and engage a new generation of athletes. Please consider making a financial donation to the Africa Baseball Project. Our available funding currently limits our impact, and your support will directly help us expand these efforts. You can contribute by clicking this link: https://lnkd.in/ePwgdgdx PLAY BALL Africa! Best regards, Mario Signorello
