The World Baseball Softball Confederation has announced Japanese sportswear and equipment company Mizuno as its first global sponsor.
Under the terms of the deal, Mizuno becomes the WBSC’s exclusive official game ball supplier of all 2014 baseball and softball world championship platforms.
The new agreement follows last month’s announcement that Mizuno would sponsor the WBSC's historic and first-ever World Baseball Softball Congress in Africa, and covers this year's three baseball world championships – the Youth U-15, U-21 and Women's Baseball World Cups – and this year's two softball world championships – the U19 Junior Men's World Championship and the Women's World Championship.
The structure of the WBSC-Mizuno agreement includes cash and value-in-kind, extending upon Mizuno's long-standing partnerships with the International Baseball Federation and International Softball Federation that dates back over 40 years.
Mizuno will continue to serve as the official competition game ball supplier of the Baseball World Cups and Softball World Championships though 2014.
Mizuno will also serve as the official apparel supplier of the tournament officials and umpires of the 2014 world championships.