Laos has kicked off a new chapter in sports with its first Baseball5 Friendly Cup in Vientiane, introducing a simpler and faster version of baseball for young players.
The event, organised by the Lao Baseball Softball Federation (LBSF) and Lao Youth Baseball (LYB), brought together nearly 100 participants, including players, volunteers, and spectators. It marked the country’s first official step into Baseball5.
Four teams, featuring mixed-gender squads, competed in the one-day tournament.
The event showed strong interest from young people aged between 15 to 25 years old, with organisers saying the energy and turnout point to real potential for the sport in Laos.
Baseball5 is played without bats or gloves, using only a rubber ball and a small space. This makes it easy to set up in schools and local communities, especially where full baseball fields are not available.
The game also helps players build basic skills like throwing, catching, and running.
Supporting Future Talent
The launch comes as Laos looks to grow its baseball talent. The men’s national team is currently ranked 47th in the world, and building a larger player base, especially young players, is a key goal.
Following the event, LBSF and LYB plan to bring Baseball5 into schools across Vientiane. There are also plans to create a school league to give students more chances to compete and help identify future players.
With strong early interest, organisers plan to make the tournament an annual event and expand it in the coming years. They also hope to build a national Baseball5 team to compete at regional and international level.


