Ayako Rokkaku: WBSC Athlete Representative taking Baseball to the world
The WBSC Premier12 2024 presented by RAXUS successfully concluded last month in Tokyo, Japan with Chinese Taipei taking the championship title. Hosted in Mexico, Taiwan and Japan, the third edition of the WBSC’s flagship tournament was an impressive showcase of the best of international baseball, which continues to expand the sport’s reach and popularity worldwide.
One prominent figure in helping to promote global baseball is Ayako Rokkaku, a former captain of Japan’s women’s baseball team who led her squad to four consecutive World Cup titles. Since 2018, Rokkaku has also been an active Baseball5 player – helping Japan claim two World Cup silver medals in 2022 and 2024 - and now serves as a WBSC Athlete Representative. As one of eight representatives for baseball and softball, she is devoted to enhancing the playing environment for athletes across the globe.
Rokkaku attended the WBSC Premier12 2024 presented by RAXUS as a WBSC Athlete Representative to observe and share insights into the significance of the tournament in Japan and discuss strategies for promoting baseball on a global scale.
Baseball5: A Breakthrough for Global Baseball Promotion
Rokkaku’s experience with both baseball and Baseball5 has given her unique insights. Having visited around 10 countries as part of her promotional work, she plans to travel to Kenya next year, which will mark the completion of her mission to cover all five continents in her global outreach efforts. This endeavor has revealed to her the challenges in spreading baseball outside of Japan, where the sport is deeply ingrained.
“I was surprised when I went abroad,” Rokkaku said. “In Japan, it’s common to know about or to have seen baseball. It’s broadcast frequently on television, and many people know the rules, even if they’ve never played. But in some places overseas, I would hear things like ‘we don’t have stores selling baseball equipment.’ It was surprising to realise that baseball is not as popular in some places compared to Japan.
“Baseball has many barriers to starting - specialized equipment, large spaces, and enough players are needed,” she explained. “Plus, it demands high skill levels, making it a challenging sport to master.”
The launch onto the international stage of Baseball5, a modified version of the Cuban street game Cuatro Esquinas refined by the WBSC, has been a game-changer with only a ball needed to play, making it ideal for global promotion.
“Baseball5 is very accessible. It can be played with just one piece of equipment, in a small area, and with a few players. This has allowed many countries to quickly embrace it, even in regions like Africa where traditional baseball hasn’t taken off. The number of participants in international Baseball5 events is growing,” Rokkaku noted. Additionally, the compact nature of Baseball5 reduces logistical costs for federations, further aiding its acceptance.
Challenges and Progress in Women’s Baseball
Promoting women’s baseball also faces significant gender-related challenges. While the number of female baseball players in Japan is on the rise and the national team has gained global recognition after become world champions for the seventh successive time earlier this year, it remains difficult for women to make a living solely from playing baseball compared to their male counterparts who have a professional league.
“Japan has seen an increase in initiatives supporting women’s baseball, such as events featuring former Major League players like Ichiro Suzuki, who played against high school women’s baseball players at the Tokyo Dome with Hideki Matsui and Daisuke Matsuzaka to raise awareness. However, living as a professional player is still difficult,” Rokkaku said.
Globally, women’s baseball is expanding. Australia boasts a flourishing calendar, and the U.S. plans to launch a professional women’s baseball league in 2026 with a four-team annual All-American Women’s Baseball Classic in play. While awareness varies across regions, the number of nations participating in international tournaments is steadily increasing. Baseball5, with its mixed-gender format, is also playing a role in promoting female participation.
“Countries where women’s baseball is popular often benefit from having specialized coaches and training programs brought in from countries like Japan, which helps strengthen their national teams. When these teams achieve success, it raises the sport’s profile and encourages growth in their country,” Rokkaku noted. However, she emphasised that there is still plenty of work to be done and underscored the importance of grassroots efforts such as providing equipment and hands-on experience as key to further growth.
The Secret to Japan’s Baseball Strength
Despite their loss to Chinese Taipei in the finals, Japan’s 27-game winning streak continued until the final of the WBSC Premier12 2024 presented by RAXUS. Rokkaku attributes Japan’s strength in baseball to its status as a baseball powerhouse having been No. 1 in the WBSC/KONAMI Men’s Baseball World Ranking since 2018 (the women’s team has been No. 1 in the WBSC/KONAMI Women’s Baseball World Ranking since 2011). “In Japan, children have many opportunities to engage with baseball from a young age, with well-established youth teams and frequent televised games. Many kids dream of being like the famous professional players they watch, and the long history of the sport has cultivated skilled coaches and effective training methods,” she said.
She also highlighted how Japanese culture aligns well with the sport’s demands. “The dedication and focus characteristic of Japanese people are significant advantages in baseball. They play without making major mistakes, stay composed under pressure, and maintain concentration for long periods - all essential qualities for the sport,” she said.
The Atmosphere and Future of Premier12
The Tokyo Dome, where the Super Round was held, was filled with enthusiastic fans who cheered and applauded impressive plays from all the teams. “It was amazing,” Rokkaku said with a smile. “I often attend NPB games, but the atmosphere at an international competition like the Premier12 is different and unique. The local fans supported Samurai Japan while also showing respect for the performances of the opposing teams. It was clear they enjoyed the entire game.”
She expressed her excitement for the future of the sport, particularly with the emergence of young talent. “There are many new players, and these young athletes will be key in shaping the future of baseball. This tournament has been an invaluable experience for them, and I believe it will contribute to the continued growth of baseball in Japan and around the world.”
Rokkaku’s Goals as a WBSC Athlete Representative
Finally, when asked about her future goals as a WBSC Athlete Representative, Rokkaku shared her vision for an inclusive environment. “As a former female baseball player, I want to create an environment where baseball, softball, and Baseball5 can be enjoyed equally by all, regardless of gender, nationality or any background they may have. I don’t want to define sports by gender - ‘men play baseball, women play softball, and Baseball5 is for mixed teams.’ The ultimate goal is to create an environment where anyone can easily try a sport simply because they find it interesting,” she said.
Rokkaku is committed to fostering a world that supports athletes’ freedom to pursue what they enjoy. In recent years, WBSC safeguarding measures such as anti-doping, anti-violence, and anti-harassment initiatives have taken centre stage in ensuring the well-being of athletes. “I believe it’s our role to ensure that athletes have a safe space where they can focus on what they want to do. If they face challenges or discomfort, we need to provide an escape. That’s the kind of athlete-focused environment I want to create,” she concluded.