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The Erasmus+ project BEST – Beyond the Sport brings together BSK Ljubljana, BSK Olimpija Karlovac, SK Princ Zagreb, BSK Novi Sad and Društvo SPM to strengthen youth baseball and softball through mental resilience, digital coaching tools, and social inclusion.
The project goes beyond technical training. Its aim is to ensure that sport becomes a safe, supportive place where young athletes can develop confidence, emotional strength, and a sense of belonging in a world where school pressure, social media, and everyday stress increasingly affect youth.
Winter Baseball Interleague – The Heart of BEST
One of the project’s main goals is the creation of the Winter Baseball Interleague (WBI) — a regional indoor league for U15 players, jointly launched by BSK Ljubljana, BSK Novi Sad and BK Olimpija Karlovac, with support from SK Princ Zagreb.
The Interleague gives young players more game opportunities during winter, strengthens cooperation among clubs, and builds long-term partnerships across borders. The movement is already expanding — Hungarian teams have joined, adding to the league’s growing international reach.
The 2025/2026 WBI season includes:
- 20 Dec 2025 – Ljubljana (SLO)
- 24 Jan 2026 – Karlovac (CRO)
- 20–21 Feb 2026 – Novi Sad (SRB)
Each event combines competition with workshops and cultural交流, reinforcing the idea that development happens both on and off the field.
Building Skills On and Beyond the Field
The project focuses on three key areas:
- Mental resilience workshops led by experts like Tina Korošec
- Digital coaching tools training for video analysis, statistics, and modern scorekeeping
- Inclusion, ensuring disadvantaged youth participate in tournaments, workshops, and camps
A major highlight will be the International Summer Sports Camp at Jarun, hosted by SK Princ Zagreb in 2026 — combining sport, outdoor living and inclusion workshops for children from all partner countries.
A Model for the Future
BEST is setting a new standard for how clubs can support young athletes — not only through competition, but through education, mental health awareness, digital learning, and inclusion. With the Winter Baseball Interleague at its core, the project strengthens regional baseball and creates opportunities that will last far beyond the project itself.
For clubs or federations interested in joining Erasmus+ projects or learning more, contact: development@wbsceurope.org
Funded by the European Union.
Views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or EACEA.
