2022 Summary - Looking forward after a successful year - Tom Thornhill

Dear All,

The Christmas festive season is a time of cheer, connecting with family and friends, and then moving into the New Year a time to refresh and re-energise, a time of new beginnings.

Despite the exceptional times we currently find ourselves in following Covid and world events, there is plenty to rejoice as another year of the British Baseball Calendar has concluded.

Congratulations to all five 2022 National British Baseball Champions that fought hard across the season and through the playoffs; London Mets (NBL), East London Latin Boys (AAA), Croydon Pirates (AA), Bracknell Inferno (A) and Sheffield Bruins Women (WBUK/WBL) for their success in becoming champions.

Great Britain Baseball qualified for the World Baseball Classic following a sensational performance in Regensburg, capping off one of the most successful seasons in British baseball history.

Exciting preparations for the year 2023 have been underway for some time. Among the highlights of the 2023 calendar are:

• GB Britain Baseball World Baseball Classic and European Championships

• MLB London Series

• British Baseball Summer Cup

• Return of BBF Youth events and the YNBCs

• Regional Level 1 Umpiring Courses

• Regional Player and Coach Development Clinics

• Implementation of the “Our Future” strategic document

This year has been remarkable in its positivity. Not only on the field, but also as a community member. Thank you to the British Baseball Federation Board and wider volunteer team for your support, and thank you to all of our members and teams for the enormous amount of time and energy that you continue to give so selflessly to provide communities throughout Great Britain with incredible opportunities to engage with and develop through our great sport.

I wish everyone a very merry Christmas and the best for 2023, and I hope we will have the chance to meet again in the next year.

Tom Thornhill

BBF President