Photo: Rocker Davies Media

BaseballSoftballUK (BSUK), the national development agency for baseball and softball in the United Kingdom, today announced the appointment of James Burton as Chief Executive Officer. Burton will join the organization immediately.

James brings to BaseballSoftballUK more than 20 years of experience leading high-profile, complex global organisations through periods of transformation. Burton is currently Chair of British Obstacle Sports, an emerging sport, and Senior Independent Director at Pentathlon GB, where he served a period as Interim CEO during a critical leadership transition. James guided the obstacle course racing and ninja sport communities to unite as a single organisation in the UK and recently led the World Obstacle Working Group through its integration with World Pentathon.

Matt Bazeley OBE, Chair of BaseballSoftballUK, stated, “I am delighted to be able to bring in someone of James' outstanding talent and character to the CEO role of BaseballSoftballUK.  James brings real experience, energy and vision and will provide the organisational leadership and focus to move BSUK, the British Baseball Federation and the British Softball Federation into a highly functioning, single governing body for the sports.  I wish him every success and look forward to working with him."

Bazeley went on to say, "I have been struck by the outstanding support provided to BSUK by both UK Sport and Sport England over the last few months as we have looked to maintain our outputs and set ourselves for the future.  But, most importantly, I should acknowledge and thank the SLT and staff at BSUK who have done an outstanding job in holding things together through a complex few months.  Everyone involved in both sports owes that small team a debt of gratitude - we would not be set on the solid foundations that we are, had they not been so effective over the last 8 months. Thank you."

 As he takes up his new role, first priority for James is to work closely with the two Federations to develop a single, unified approach for baseball and softball in Great Britain, working to implement a new national governing body. This will be delivered by all three organisations through an open and transparent process, working in partnership with the communities and guided by the shared ambition to get more people playing baseball and softball in more places. 

“It is a huge honour to lead this critical period in the history of British baseball and softball”, said Burton. “I am here to work with the communities, clubs, leagues and Federations to build a strong national structure that enables and enhances safe grassroot participation domestically and elite performance in international competition. I am excited by the opportunities ahead for baseball and softball in the UK.” 

BaseballSoftballUK, British Baseball Federation, and British Softball Federation will, in due course, be seeking input from clubs, leagues, and the wider community to help inform plans relating to a proposed One Organisation model. Your views and experiences will play an important role in helping shape the future of our sports.