South African Baseball’s 2024-2025 calendar is filled with a thrilling lineup of events designed to highlight the sport at both local and international levels. Following weeks of detailed planning and discussions, the schedule is set to offer numerous opportunities for players to shine, attract new fans, and foster South Africa’s baseball community.
All-Star Week in Cape Town: A December Highlight
One of the major events on the calendar is the highly anticipated All-Star Week, set to kick off in Cape Town on 14 December 2024. This showcase event will feature players from various provinces across South Africa, selected through the Elite Training Squad (ETS) system to form the U18, U23, and Senior teams. The All-Star Week will also serve as a selection ground for the U18 squad competing in the upcoming WBSC Africa U18 Championship serving as a World Cup qualifier taking place in January 2025. Additionally, top senior players will be closely watched as they aim for spots on South Africa’s international team, set to compete in a high-profile event in February 2025.
South African Women’s Team Continues Historic Series Against Zimbabwe
Another milestone event for South African Baseball is the continuation of the Women’s series against Zimbabwe. The South African Women’s team will travel to Harare on 15 December 2024 for the second leg of their groundbreaking series. This series has already made history by marking the launch of South Africa’s first Women’s Senior and U18 teams, setting a foundation for future growth in women’s baseball.
Baseball5 Africa Championship in Cape Town: Road to the Youth World Cup
South Africa will proudly host the 2024 Baseball5 Africa Championships in Cape Town from 7 to 12 January 2025. This event is a qualifier for the WBSC Baseball5 Youth World Cup, set to take place in Mexico later in 2025. Following the recent Southern Africa region qualifiers in Polokwane, where South Africa emerged victorious, this tournament will bring Africa’s best teams to Cape Town, aiming to secure spots on the world stage.
WBSC Africa U18 and U12 Championships in Johannesburg
South African Baseball will also host the WBSC Africa U18 and U12 Championships in Johannesburg from 14 to 19 January 2025. The top teams from this tournament will qualify for the WBSC U18 World Cup in Japan and the U12 World Cup in Tainan, Taiwan, both scheduled for 2025. This event promises intense competition as teams battle for a chance to represent Africa internationally.
National Baseball Championships in Cape Town
A highlight of the South African Baseball calendar is the annual National Baseball Championships, which will take place in Cape Town, Western Cape, in April 2025. Junior teams will compete from 2 April, followed by Senior teams starting on 7 April. This tournament, which attracts over a thousand players from across the country, is set for a full house this year, with Free State Baseball and KZN Baseball joining other provinces in what promises to be a fiercely competitive championship.
South African Baseball’s packed schedule reflects the organisation’s commitment to expanding the sport’s footprint and offering athletes opportunities to compete at the highest levels. With the diversity and scale of these events, 2024-2025 is set to be an exciting period for baseball in South Africa.
