Major League Baseball

International Baseball Federation elects new chief

Published Dec. 12, 2009 8:27 p.m. ET

foxsports

Riccardo Fraccari of Italy has been elected president of the International Baseball Federation during its weeklong meetings. Fraccari replaces Dr. Harvey W. Schiller, who has led the organization since 2007. Fraccari ran for the office unopposed and vowed Sunday to build better relationships with the world's top professional leagues. Paul Seiler is the only member elected to the executive committee from the United States. He takes over as first member at large. Also during the meetings, Texas Rangers minor leaguer Justin Smoak was honored as the federation's top senior athlete. Smoak played last season for Triple-A Oklahoma City, and helped Team USA win its second straight Baseball World Cup.