On March 12, the International Baseball Federation (IBAF) announced their plans to help replace all baseball equipment that was lost in a building collapse in Barcelona. The federation will also honor the memory of the young people who lost their lives in the Saint Boi Tragedy during the 2009 World Cup.

The building collapsed on January 24 and the IBAF will replace most items that were lost in the collapse in addition to providing other support for those involved. There were a total of four children who lost their lives when the building gave in to heavy winds in addition to countless others who sustained injuries. The building was home to the Barcelona Baseball Club and housed all of their baseball equipment.

According to IBAF Secretary General John Ostermeyer,

“The IBAF is pleased it can help the people of Saint Boi club in any way possible heal from this tragedy, and their request for new equipment, especially some pitching machines, is the least we can do.”

Ostermeyer further stated,

“Baseball has long been a game which brings people of all backgrounds together and there is no greater time for the baseball family to join together in support than when a tragedy such as this occurs. It is a small gesture, which we will hope will assist those at the club heal in some way.”

In addition to providing equipment, the federation will also honor the memory of those who lost their lives during the event at the beginning of the 2009 World Cup on September 10. Barcelona has a rich baseball history as it was the host of the Olympics when baseball was reinstated as an event in 1992. This fall, it will host some games in the World Cup which will features teams from Spain, South Africa, Puerto Rico and Cuba.

Other first round action will be held in Regensberg, Germany, Moscow, Prague and Stockholm.

The second round will be played in both Italy and the Netherlands with the final round being played in Italy on September 27. There will be a total of 22 nations in the World Cup.

Bill Jordan is a contributor to BaseballReflections.com. He can be reached by e-mail at BillJordaniv@yahoo.com.

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