Softball By Day, Baseball By Night, BB5 Happy

My Reasons for Running for WBSC Europe President

The opportunity to shape the future of European baseball, softball, and baseball-5 is upon us. I am committed to overcoming past stagnation and taking progressive steps to boost the popularity and development of these sports. With a decade of involvement in sports like basketball, baseball, baseball-5, coupled with my youthful understanding and connection with the next generation, I am uniquely positioned to lead this transformation.

My extensive experience combines my roles as an Executive Director of the Lithuania Professional Basketball League and as the Secretary General of the Lithuanian Baseball Federation.This role has equipped me with the knowledge, management skills, and connections necessary to drive the operations and growth of a major international sports organization.

I am determined to harness my energy, expertise, and innovative vision to "Create the Future Now" for baseball, softball, and baseball-5. My focus will be on nurturing popularity and homegrown talent, establishing meaningful competitions, and fostering collaboration across all European federations.

From Portugal to Georgia, from Norway to Spain, and Israel and in between we will work together to ensure mutual benefit and contribute to the growth and development of our sports. Together, we will usher in a new era of growth, innovation, excitement, and fun!

Challenges and Vision for Transformation

Join us in transforming baseball, softball and baseball-5 through innovative strategies for inclusivity and talent development

Financial Transparency and Growth

· Need for stability and sustainable growth strategies

Declining Participation

Decrease in youth baseball numbers due to inadequate competitions and infrastructure

Over-Reliance on Naturalized Players

42% of top European national team rosters are made up of naturalized players, impacting local talent development

Accessibility Issues

High costs for streaming and equipment hinder participation

Program Priorities

Transformative Leadership

o Address declining participation and limited competitive opportunities with innovative solutions.

o Empower federations to host major events promptly.

o Conduct periodic updates and town hall Q&A sessions for federations, clubs, volunteers, and journalists.

o Enhance regional and national tournaments under WBSC Europe’s licensed support.

o Establish a task force to evaluate and implement beneficial ideas.

o Strive for a balance between high-level competitions, popularity, and development by transforming underdevelopment into progress.

Increasing Popularity and Engagement

o Promote baseball and softball through grassroots initiatives, particularly with Little League and Pony League.

o Leverage softball as an accessible introduction for children and adults, encouraging participation across ages and skill levels.

o Introduce an Annual Day of Baseball/Softball/Baseball-5 across Europe.

o Collaborate with MLB.TV to reduce subscription costs.

o Implement guerrilla marketing targeted at families.

o Enhance media accessibility to engage younger audiences

o Establish annual tournaments for Baseball-5 and other age groups (U11, U13, U15) to bridge participation gaps.

o Support regional leagues and winter tournaments under WBSC Europe’s umbrella.

o Facilitate cross-border collaborations for resource-limited federations.

Financial Innovation

o Introduce Individual Memberships to WBSC-Europe, providing benefits without voting rights, fostering a community spirit.

o Membership includes a WBSC Europe logo t-shirt, newsletters, and streaming access perks.

o Encourage private and corporate donations to support federations and expand facilities.o Engage local sports and government agencies to secure financial backing.

Developing Homegrown Talent

o Prioritize grassroots investment to reduce dependence on naturalized talent.

o Offer incentives like fee discounts, development funds, and increased tournament opportunities.

Enhancing Accessibility

o Negotiate affordable streaming options for children and students.

o Create equipment funds for underprivileged areas

Promoting Fair Play and Inclusivity

o Ensure inclusivity and fairness across all federations, regardless of size or resources.

o Establish a commission to promote women’s baseball and increase opportunities and female participation.

Supporting Federations and Coaches

o Offer logistical and financial support for hosting regional tournaments.

o Acknowledge and reward coaches focused on holistic player development.

o Expand educational opportunities through e-learning and coaching exchanges.

Championing Social Diversity

o Develop adaptive programs for athletes with disabilities and celebrate diversity in the sport.

Strengthening Governance

o Enhance transparency with regular updates and meetings with federation leaders.

o Establish an Advisory Board of federation presidents and a Board of Directors including key stakeholders, to ensure comprehensive representation.

Revitalizing Competitions

Join us in making a difference!

I invite your support in electing me as President. I am committed to bringing fresh ideas and fostering growth with a progressive vision. Together, we can change the landscape of baseball and softball, one pitch, one game, one day at a time. Let's take this journey together and build a brighter future for our sports.

With an inclusive, dynamic, and forward-thinking approach, my leadership will serve the best interests of all national federations. I seek your support to become President and bring these new ideas to fruition. Let's change the world of baseball and softball, one pitch, one game, one day at a time.

About me

With over a decade of leadership in sports management, I bring strategic insight and operational expertise:

Professional Roles:

o General Secretary, Lithuanian Baseball Association: Managed national projects and international collaborations to grow baseball.

o Director, Lithuanian Regional Basketball League (RKL): Led Lithuania’s largest basketball league, driving regional development.

o GM, MKK Panevėžys: Oversaw a top-tier women’s basketball club competing in Lithuanian and Baltic championships.

· Achievements:

o Organized award-winning events like the Panevėžys Sports Festival, named Sports Initiative of the Year.

o Fostered international collaboration through cross-border sports programs.

o Expanded sports organizations in Lithuania and Latvia.

o Contributed to grassroots and elite-level player development across multiple sports.

o Successfully managed growth in the Lithuanian Baseball Association, increasing its popularity and visibility.

o Tripled the budget of the basketball league through strategic initiatives and partnerships.

o Elevated the Regional Basketball League to unprecedented levels of popularity and visibility, enhancing its reputation and audience engagement.

Education:

o Master’s in Business Management (in progress), Kaunas University of Technology.

o Bachelor’s in Physical Education and Pedagogy, Lithuanian University of Educational Sciences.

o Certification in Sports Management from the Lithuanian Olympic Committee.

Languages: Fluent in English and Lithuanian.

Hobbies: Travel, sports, cinema, music, and supporting youth baseball, softball and baseball-5.

Success Stories

Reviving a Private Sports School During the COVID-19 Pandemic

During the challenging COVID-19 period, I took over a private sports school with over 1,000 children across three different sports. At that time, the school was on the brink of bankruptcy, struggling to survive. Through strategic efforts, I successfully turned it into the leading regional private sports academy. This transformation was achieved by:

• Securing investors who believed in the school’s potential,

• Introducing attractive and engaging youth programs to boost participation,

• Enhancing professionalism in coaching and management.

Today, the school thrives, offering top-tier training and opportunities for young athletes, proving that even in times of crisis, sports development can flourish with the right vision and leadership.

Transforming Lithuania’s Largest Regional Basketball League

After revitalizing the private sports school, I took on an even bigger challenge—leading Lithuania’s largest professional regional basketball league, which at the time was nearing bankruptcy and had lost public interest. Through innovative strategies and strong partnerships, I spearheaded a complete transformation:

• Secured major media deals, broadcasting games on all cable TV networks and leading news portals,

• Expanded audience reach to millions each month,

• More than doubled the league’s budget within just two seasons, making it a sustainable and growing sports entity.

Today, the league stands as a model for regional basketball success, proving that with strong leadership, bold decision-making, and strategic planning, any organization can be revived and elevated to new heights.

Steps in making a difference!

1. Comprehensive Revision of WBSC Europe:
   Conduct a thorough assessment of the organization’s structure, processes, and objectives to identify areas for improvement and ensure alignment with future goals.

2. Strategic Session with All Members:
   Host a collaborative session involving all member federations to discuss challenges, opportunities, and shared priorities for the development of baseball, softball, and Baseball5 in Europe.

3. Clear Definition of Goals and Tasks:
   Establish transparent and measurable objectives for WBSC Europe, accompanied by clear task assignments to ensure accountability and progress.

4. Regular Meetings of the Advisory Commission:
   Schedule consistent meetings with the Advisory Commission to review progress, address emerging issues, and maintain open communication among stakeholders.