Empowering Bhutanese Youth, One Pitch at a Time!

Bhutan Baseball & Softball Association

The Bhutan Baseball and Softball Association (BBSA), established in 2021, is a dynamic and visionary organization dedicated to fostering the growth and development of baseball and softball in Bhutan. With its founding purpose rooted in providing opportunities for Bhutanese youth to explore their potential through sports, BBSA operates with the core values of inclusivity, discipline, teamwork, and perseverance. Its vision is to create a vibrant sports ecosystem where youth can thrive, both on and off the field, while contributing to the overall development of Bhutan’s sports culture.

Despite being a young organization, BBSA has made significant strides in promoting baseball and softball as new sports disciplines in Bhutan. The association’s primary focus has been on engaging youth, nurturing talent, and organizing impactful events that inspire participation and excellence. Over the past three years, BBSA has primarily concentrated its efforts in Thimphu, where it has seen remarkable growth in youth participation through school leagues, training academies, and seasonal camps. Recently, BBSA expanded its activities to Paro district, marking an important milestone in its vision to bring baseball and softball to more districts across the country in the coming years.

BBSA’s contributions to Bhutan’s sports ecosystem are already evident. Through its grassroots programs, the association has introduced the sport to hundreds of young boys and girls, emphasizing skill development, teamwork, and the values of sportsmanship. By organizing key events such as the U12, U15, and U18 School Baseball Leagues and annual summer camps, BBSA has not only created opportunities for youth to compete but also identified and nurtured emerging talent. These leagues and programs have become platforms for building confidence and resilience among young players while opening doors to potential national and international opportunities.

The association’s efforts go beyond fostering individual talent. BBSA has played a crucial role in engaging communities and schools, fostering a shared sense of purpose in building a sports culture. Collaboration with organizations like The Asia Foundation, local schools, and clubs has been instrumental in driving its programs. Additionally, BBSA is committed to introducing Baseball5, a street-style variant of baseball, as a means to make the sport more accessible and adaptable to Bhutan’s context.

Vision and Mission

Vision:
To inspire and empower Bhutanese youth through the development of baseball, softball, and Baseball, fostering a vibrant sports culture that promotes inclusivity, discipline, and excellence, while expanding opportunities across all districts in Bhutan.

Mission:
To develop and promote baseball, softball, and Baseball5 in Bhutan by providing accessible training programs, organizing competitive leagues, engaging communities, and building partnerships. BBSA is committed to nurturing talent, enhancing sports infrastructure, and creating pathways for national and international opportunities for youth.

However, as a nascent association in Bhutan’s sports community, BBSA faces challenges in infrastructure development. Currently, the organization does not have dedicated facilities of its own and relies on existing school grounds, community spaces and is very thankful to Royal BodyGuard and Dechencholing HSS providing RBG astro turf for free for our training and events. Despite these limitations, BBSA remains optimistic and positive about the future. The association envisions developing its own world-class facilities in the years to come, which will provide a stronger foundation for training and competition.

Looking ahead, BBSA is determined to expand its reach to more districts, ensuring that youth across Bhutan have access to opportunities in baseball, softball and baseball5. The association’s commitment to inclusivity and community engagement will continue to guide its journey as it works toward creating a sustainable sports ecosystem. BBSA’s optimism, coupled with its passion for empowering youth, sets it apart as a driving force in shaping the future of sports in Bhutan.

History and Background

We are the Bhutan Baseball & Softball Association (BBSA), serving as the official National Governing Body for baseball, softball, and Baseball5 in Bhutan. Our primary role is to facilitate the growth and advancement of “diamond sports” throughout the country. We achieve this by organizing various initiatives, including youth and senior baseball camps, training sessions, and leagues. BBSA currently has 8 registered clubs representing baseball and softball, including:

  • Thimphu Red Panda Baseball and Softball Club
  • Wangdue Crane Baseball and Softball Club
  • Samtse Rhino Baseball and Softball Club
  • Gelephu Tusker Baseball and Softball Club
  • Paro Raven Baseball and Softball Club
  • The Black Disciple Baseball and Softball Club
  • Phuntsholing Crocodile Baseball and Softball Club
  • Club Nakama

As we look ahead, our aim is to further expand our efforts by organizing national competitions. Our responsibility extends to introducing, promoting, and developing all three disciplines of Baseball, Softball, and Baseball5. BBSA is an affiliated member of the World Baseball and Softball Confederation (WBSC) and the Bhutan Olympic Committee (BOC).

Milestones or Major Events in Our Journey
Since its establishment, the Bhutan Baseball & Softball Association (BBSA) has rapidly achieved remarkable milestones, becoming the fastest sports organization in Bhutan to attain affiliated membership with the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) in 2021 and the Bhutan Olympic Committee (BOC) in 2023—just two years after it became operational.

One of BBSA’s most historic achievements was organizing Bhutan’s first-ever international sports team tour to the USA. This milestone was made possible through the support of the Hudson Valley Renegades, a Minor League Baseball team affiliated with the New York Yankees. During the tour, Bhutan became the first country to go on the field with professional Major League Baseball players from the New York Yankees, marking a groundbreaking moment in the nation’s sporting history.

The BBSA has also focused on grassroots development, registering approximately 3,000 kids in its player database, with 300–400 active players participating regularly from Thimphu and Paro. An impressive 90% of the participants are youths, highlighting BBSA’s role in inspiring the next generation of athletes in Bhutan.

These achievements underscore BBSA’s commitment to fostering the growth of baseball and softball in Bhutan while setting a benchmark for sports development in the country.

Key Milestones

Youth Participation:

  • 90% of BBSA’s registered players are youth, reflecting the organization’s focus on empowering the younger generation through sports.
  • Significant growth in girls’ participation over the last two years, marking a milestone in promoting inclusivity and gender balance in baseball and softball.

Training and Capacity Building:

  • A total of 79 participants, including athletes, BBSA coaches, club coaches, and school sports instructors, successfully completed the WBSC online basic baseball and softball coaching course, strengthening the foundation of skilled coaching in Bhutan.

League and Academy Engagement:

  • Hundreds of youth actively participate annually in BBSA-organized leagues, academies, and summer camps.
  • The U12, U15, and U18 leagues have become key platforms for identifying and nurturing emerging talent.

Community Reach:

  • BBSA programs and events have reached schools and communities in Thimphu and recently expanded to Paro district, engaging a growing number of participants.

These statistics underscore BBSA’s commitment to developing baseball, softball, and Baseball5 in Bhutan, with a strong emphasis on youth participation, capacity building, and community engagement.

Quick Info

  • Name of the Organization: Bhutan Baseball & Softball Association
  • Abbreviation :BBSA
  • Type of Organization : National Sports Association
  • Date of Establishment: July 2021 (Became affiliated member of BOC on May 2023)
  • Office Address: Namgyal Plaza , Zorig Lam, Room No:407
  • Phone/ Mobile Number: +975-17346373
  • Email Address: [email protected]
  • Official Website: www.bhutanbaseball.org

Other Key Highlights

  • Expanded operations to Paro district in 2024, marking the first step in BBSA’s vision to grow baseball, softball and baseball5 across Bhutan.
  • Coordinated a life-changing international tour to New York for 12 youth players, showcasing Bhutanese talent on a global platform.
  • Launched Baseball5 programs to make the sport more accessible and adaptable to Bhutan’s context.

Key Statistics

  • Winner of the social media competition hosted by the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC), competing against participating countries from five continents and earning $10,000 worth of equipment grants.
  • Recognized as the first baseball and softball country to take the field with an MLB club, the New York Yankees, and its players. This historic moment was made possible by the Hudson Valley Renegades, bringing international recognition to BBSA.
  • Affiliated member of the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC), Softball Asia, and Baseball Federation of Asia as of July 2021.
  • Officially affiliated with the Bhutan Olympic Committee (BOC) in May 2023.
  • Established partnerships with organizations such as The Asia Foundation,MyBhutan,Expert Education and Visa Consultant,Bhutan Foundation, Bhutan Cultural Exchange, Hudson Valley Renegades to support programs, provide equipment, and create more opportunities and support for BBSA and Bhutanese youth.

Initiatives Aimed at Promoting Sustainability or Community Development

  • Baseball5 Outreach Programs: BBSA has introduced Baseball5 as an accessible, low-cost alternative to traditional baseball and softball, requiring minimal equipment and space. This initiative promotes sustainability by reducing the need for large infrastructure while engaging schools and communities in sports.
  • Grassroots Development Efforts: BBSA focuses on training school sports instructors and local coaches to ensure the sustainability of baseball and softball programs in Bhutan. By empowering schools and communities to lead sports activities, BBSA promotes long-term development and local ownership of the sport.
  • Expansion to New Districts: Starting with Thimphu and Paro, BBSA is actively working to expand its programs to other districts, ensuring equitable access to sports opportunities for youth across Bhutan.
  • Eco-Friendly Practices: BBSA emphasizes the use of reusable and durable sports equipment, minimizing waste while maximizing resources, as part of its commitment to sustainable development.

Social Impact Projects or Campaigns

  • Empowering Youth Through Sports: BBSA has registered approximately 3,000 kids in its player database, with 90% being youth, creating a safe and inclusive platform for personal growth, teamwork, and leadership development.
  • Girls’ Participation Campaigns: Over the last two years, BBSA has achieved significant growth in girls’ participation, promoting gender equality and breaking stereotypes in sports.
  • Community Camps and Events: Through summer camps, weekend academies, and league matches, BBSA actively engages youth and their families, strengthening community bonds and encouraging healthy lifestyles.
  • International Exposure Opportunities: BBSA organized Bhutan’s first-ever international tour to the USA, where 12 young players gained invaluable experience and inspiration by playing with MLB-affiliated teams. This initiative fostered hope and aspiration among youth while showcasing Bhutan on a global platform.
  • WBSC Coaching Course Participation: BBSA enabled 79 participants, including coaches and sports instructors, to complete the WBSC online basic baseball and softball coaching course. This initiative strengthened community-based coaching and skill-building in Bhutan.

President

Name
Year
Mr. Karma Dorji
2025

Key Personnels

Name
Designation
Year
Mr. Sangye Choiphel
Vice President
2025
General Secretary
Mr. Sanjeevan Raj Gurung
2025
Treasurer
Mrs. Sonam Wangmo
2025
Matthew De’Santis
Co-Founder/Volunteer
2025
Ramon Alex Riesgo
International relation head/Volunteer
2025

Calender 2025

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