The WBSC's inaugural esports competition begins today in various cities in Japan, Mexico, South Korea and the United States, and is aimed at people with no prior professional experience of baseball or softball.

There are no age limit or gender restrictions for the WBSC Virtual Cup.

Seoul-based Newdin Contents is set to provide its Strikezon technology to facilitate competition.

Participants are able to play in teams of two at the host venues, with either eight or 16 teams depending on the number of entries advancing from the 13 divisions to the super round on October 23.

The super round follows a single-elimination format at each location, with the top team from each division and three wildcards qualifying for the World Finals in South Korea at the end of November.

At the World Finals, teams are set to be divided into four round-robins, with each group winner advancing to a knockout final round.

Baseball has enjoyed success in an esports format, and was one of five sports featuring on the inaugural Olympic Virtual Series organised by the International Olympic Committee last year.

In December 2020, esports and all virtual versions of baseball and softball were approved by the WBSC among its official disciplines.

Last year, the governing body launched a three-pillar strategic approach to esports, consisting of mobile, pro and virtual.