'Vietnam' in the WBSC... a new dream

At 9:00 on the 22nd of this month, I received an email from the Vietnam Baseball Federation. Another milestone has been reached in Vietnamese baseball. The Vietnam Baseball Federation (VBSF) has been recognized by the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) as a full member. The official letter was dated May 22.

On March 24, the WBSC's Standing Committee met for the first time since the pandemic's long delay. Prior to the meeting, WBSC Korea staff member Kim Beet-seom (son of Lotte's current first base coach Kim Pyung-ho) and the Vietnam Baseball Federation were in close contact to complete the missing documents. There were some nerve-wracking moments when we had to frantically prepare documents in a short time.

This is the result of the behind-the-scenes hard work and perseverance of many people who want to see the development of baseball in Vietnam. I was overwhelmed with emotions.

When the Vietnam Baseball Federation was founded in April 2021, there were moments when it felt like a big mountain had been crossed, but there were also times when it was hard to take a step forward when the coronavirus hit.

Now, baseball in Vietnam is back on its feet, and the country's name is on the world stage. We are last in the world rankings, but we have nothing to lose, only to improve and climb. This gives me great courage.

In February this year, Vietnam Baseball proudly launched its official national team and competed in the DGB Southeast Asian Games in Laos. Of course, the sport itself still needs more time to develop, and infrastructure needs to be built. It's obvious.

I also realized that Vietnam still has a very long way to go after seeing the quality of other countries at the Southeast Asian Baseball Championship in Thailand in April with the Laos national team. This is undeniable.

Before the federation was created, it was said, "If only the federation was created...". Before the national baseball team was created, 메이저놀이터 it was also said, 'If we can only create a national team and participate in international competitions....'. And we said, "If we can get the WBSC to recognize us and make us a member....".

It happened. All the things we thought were impossible have become a reality. Now I have a new dream. Maybe some people will laugh at me for being so outrageous. But in my head, in my heart, the blueprint for Vietnamese baseball will soon be history.

It shouldn't be confined to Vietnam anymore. Congratulations to Vietnamese baseball for standing tall at the gateway to the world today.

Lee Man-soo, former SK manager - Chairman, Hulk Foundation