WBSC announces woman softball, baseball athlete as new Assistant Executive Director for International Softball

Post date: Nov 17, 2014 7:58:17 PM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                              11/12 SEPTEMBER 2014

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- WBSC proud to promote women and athletes into senior leadership positions.  

The World Baseball Softball Confederation announced today that former professional baseball and softball athlete, Laurie Gouthro, has been named the new Assistant Executive Director for International Softball.

Ms. Gouthro will help lead the international softball management team, helping to oversee and lead the organisation and legacy of the softball world championship platforms, including the flagship Women's Softball World Championship. Ms. Gouthro will be involved in the strategic planning, procedural reform and the administration and operational delivery of International Softball.

During her tenure as director of competition, beginning in 2001, she has overseen all world championships, including the expansion of the frequency of the championship (formerly celebrated every four years now every two years for each of the four softball disciplines) and also the transition to an open qualifying system. Ms. Gouthro has also overseen the anti-doping program, which has witnessed no positive drug results in Olympic history. She was recently named the technical director for softball for Special Olympics International.

Born in Olongopo City, Philippines, Ms. Gouthro attended both Florida Community College at Jacksonville and the University of South Florida on sport scholarships in softball and played both professional baseball and softball.

"Softball has always been an important part of my life, and I am very grateful for all the opportunities it has given me. I am excited about this new position and welcome the new challenges that come with it," Gouthro expressed. "I look forward to working with our President, Board and Executive Director to raise the profile of our sport worldwide and to increase participation at all levels of competition through our championship platforms and development programmes."

With softball considered to be one the world's leading team sports for women, the WBSC is also strongly committed to harnessing the power and skills of women in positions of sports leadership. Women currently represent 25% of the elected WBSC Executive Board -- exceeding the International Olympic Committee's minimum recommendation of 20% -- and the WBSC will support all efforts to drive these numbers up further to reflect the gender-balance that defines WBSC's global activity.

WBSC Executive Vice President Dale McMann said, "The world softball community is grateful to have an individual with Ms. Gouthro's experience. We are proud to be able to promote women and athletes into leadership positions."

WBSC will take the field next at the 17th edition of the Asian Games beginning 19-September in Incheon, South Korea. The regional multi-sport game offers an opportunity to expose new fans and athletes to the bat-and-ball sports in new territories -- especially Muslim countries where the non-contact team sports, dress codes and rules can be easily adapted for girls and young women from all backgrounds and faiths. 

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MEDIA: For media inquiries, please contact:

media@wbsc.co

About the World Baseball Softball Confederation:

Headquartered in the Olympic Capital city of Lausanne, Switzerland, the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) was established in April 2013 and granted recognition as the sole competent authority in baseball and softball by the International Olympic Committee at the 125th IOC Session in September 2013. The WBSC represents a united baseball/softball sports movement that encompasses over 65 million athletes worldwide.

The WBSC governs all international competitions involving any of the National Teams of its 141 National Federation members.  

The WBSC also oversees the Baseball World Cups and Softball World Championships and is the only sports organisation in the world that oversees a U-12 youth national team world championship.

The WBSC currently has National Federation members in 141 countries and territories across Asia, Africa, Americas (Caribbean, Central-, North- and South-America), Europe and Oceania. 

For further information, please go to www.WBSC.co.