Little League in Uganda

Baseball, first invented in the United States, is now making its way to Uganda in a very big way. Well, at least it has become apparent after Uganda made its first ever appearance in the Little League World Series this year. As a college softball player and a fanatic baseball fan myself, this topic holds very near and dear to my heart as I want to see both baseball and softball become sports as popular as soccer. Many have become inspired by the heart-warming story of the Uganda Little League team making it on an international scale. Thus, donations have flocked to Uganda because of so many wanting to help make baseball (and also softball) more accessible sports in the African Country. However, the not so ideal political situation in Uganda has prevented most of this money and equipment from actually reaching the children of this country.

Baseball isn’t exactly a cheap game to play. As all of you know, it requires the use of bat, balls, gloves and a field. It’s not like soccer at all where all you need is a ball. The boys of Uganda who made it to the Little League World were playing on dirt fields in their bare feet with little equipment. If the money that was donated eventually gets used there, it will make a world of difference in the lives of these kids. Beside, I would like to see baseball and softball be more accessible sports around the world so they can be reinstated as sports into the Olympics. With the donations to countries like Uganda, boys and girls get to participate in a whole new game.

http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Africa/2012/0823/Showing-at-Little-League-World-Series-buoys-Uganda-enthusiasm-for-baseball