This past week, I had the privledge of working at the 12-13 years-old boys camp organized by the Uganda Little League Baseball NGO in Uganda. The mission of the NGO is to promote, build, and expand the game of baseball in Uganda, as well as eventually in adjoining African nations, so that the sport can be self-sustaining and achieve its long-term objectives. In a country crazed about football (American soccer), baseball introduces Ugandan youth to an alternative sport, provides them the opportunity to develop their skills, and encourages important concepts such as teamwork, sportsmanship, and hard work.
Upon arriving at the camp, I had no idea what to expect. Do youth really play baseball in Uganda? How much exposure have Ugandan youth had to the sport? Realistically, can baseball even be played when there is limited funding for equipment (gloves, helmits, balls, bats, uniforms, cleats), playing space (baseball diamond/field), and travel (to compete in international competitions). Most importantly, how can baseball become a self-sustaining sport in Uganda?
About 6 teams (12 players on each) throughout Uganda participated in the camp. As soon as I began watching the players compete in drills, batting and pitching sessions, and mock games, I was blown away by their talent and enthusiasm for the sport. My role was to help coach/give advice to the players, score the games, interact with the players, and simply serve as a good role model. Considering I have never played baseball myself, I did not play in any of the games, but my years of reading and memorizing the daily sports page and box scores, and watching games on TV certainly served me well. I also had the opportunity of working with and teaching baseball to Jackie, a female coach who will be leading one of the girls Little League camps in June. All in all it was a great week!
I hope to continue working with Uganda Little League Baseball in the coming months.
LINKS
* To read about how Uganda Little League Baseball was started.
http://ugandalittleleaguebaseball.org/History.htm
* To read the organization's blog written by Jay Shapiro, a fellow Clarkie (what a small world!), about Uganda's Little League team competing in Poland in 2010 against Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Dubai, and South Africa for the right to advance to the Little League World Series in the U.S.
http://myquaintandquietlife.tumblr.com/page/2
* To watch the 4 minute clip "Opposite Field" chronicling the 2010 Ugandan team playing in Little League World Series in Poland, and serving as the basis for a potential future documentary on baseball in Uganda.
http://ugandalittleleaguebaseball.org/Videos/index.htm
PHOTOS
I cannot take credit for taking these photos (they are fellow PCV Colin's) of the 12-13 years-old boys camp.
No comments:
Post a Comment