History of International Baseball

History and Activities of the Amateur Baseball Federation of India

Baseball game was introduced in our country by the Amateur Baseball Federation of India. The Federation was established inDecember 1983 with an object to promote this game. On 11th December 1983 some Baseball lovers from Delhi, Manjpur, Haryana, Gujarat, M.P and West Bengal met at Rohtak (Haryana) and agreed to form a baseball federation to promote baseball game through out the country. The Baseball Leaders also agreed that the Federation should become a member of Asian baseball Federation and International Baseball Association. The leading persons at that time were Mr.P.C. Bhardwaj ( Delhi ) and Mr. E.Bijoy Singh (Manipur). Mr.P.C.Bhardwaj (Delhi) was appointed as Hony. Secretary and given responsibility to approach Asian and International Baseball Authority for membership.

On 16th Sept. 1984 a seminar was organized to discuss the basic bylaws and to hold the Ist National Baseball Championship to popularize this game, An application was moved to International Baseball Association for Affiliation. An extraordinary Congress and 13th Baseball Asia Championship Series was to be held from 19th Jan. 1985 to 31 Jan. 1985 at Perth (Australia). Mr.P.C Bhardwaj Hony. Secretary A.B.F.I Attended the 13th Asian Baseball Championship Series at Perth. ABFI was approved as a member of B.F.A on 19th Jan 1985 at Seoul. Indian Olympic Association also recognized Amateur Baseball Federation of India.

Ist National Baseball Championship was organized by Baseball Association, Delhi from 25th Feb to 28th Feb 1985 at New Delhi. The Federation also introduced this game for women. A.B.F.I was deeply grateful to B.F.A for providing the Baseball equipment.

The Federation is determined to promote Baseball game through out the country. At present 26 States/UT are the affiliated member of the Federation. The federation has organized 24 Senior National Baseball Championship, 21 Junior National Championship, 19Sub-junior National Championship, apart from 11 National Little League Tournament between 11-13 years age group. The Indian team won Bronze medal in 1995 & Silver medal in 1999 in the Asian Cup Baseball championship at Internationals Level. Indian team also participated in “AA” and “AAA” Championship held at Seoul and Taiwan in which Indian team performance was appreciable. The federation has been sending participants under 11 years in the world children Baseball Fair on the invitation from WCBF. The Indian woman team recently participated in 3rd woman world cup at Matsuyama, Japan in 2008.

The Baseball game has been included in the school game by the School Games Federation of India since 1998. The Federation succeeded to introduced Baseball game at Grass Route Level. Sports Authority of India has introduced certificate course for Baseball Coaches at N.I.S Patiala.

A.B.F.I.’s most urgent task is to make Baseball Tremendously popular in India. The Federation will do its level best to achieve the goal.