Bhutan Baseball: Student-Athletes Reflect on Lockdown

Apr 3

The untimely COVID lockdown that derailed the first-ever U15 Bhutan Amateur Baseball League is now over. Although the league is expected to resume shortly, several students who were introduced to the sport by the Bhutan Baseball and Softball Association last year recently shared their excitement and fondness for the game of baseball.

By Tenzin Dolkar, Class Nine, Taba Lower Secondary School

Life is a journey where we meet different people and we experience new things. One of the teachers at school introduced me to the Thimphu Red Panda Club. When I heard about baseball for the first time, I got surprised and excited because I heard about football, basketball, and even cricket in Bhutan. But I had never heard about baseball. Yes, I saw the game on television - especially in Doraemon - but when I heard about baseball in Bhutan, I was so excited that I could not express it in words.
My friends and I went to the club to try baseball. We reached the place where the session was going to take place and most of the older trainers were already there. They asked us to join them to practice baseball.
The trainers showed us the equipment and I felt something different in myself that I cannot even explain. The most interesting thing about the equipment was comparing it to other sports equipment. Football, as an example, only has a ball, goal posts, and goalkeepers' equipment. But for baseball, each player on the field has several pieces of equipment. For instance, "every" fielder has a glove to catch balls and some even wear a batting glove under their fielding glove.
The following day, we began learning how to play the game. I understood the rules and most of all I enjoyed playing as a batter. I like batting because when I hold the handle of the bat, I experience a very strange but good feeling. I also like being a fielder and pitcher, too, but I have not tried playing as a catcher yet. We went 4 or 5 times to the TRPC session and I enjoyed it to the full extent.
Back at school, our sports teacher told us about the baseball league among four schools. With curiosity and excitement, I joined the team. Because I like being a stubborn girl, I like to try something new in my life, and made up my mind to be a baseball player. Even though my parents were against me and sports, I never listened and they did not force me to stop playing and I am thankful for that.
On the first day of the training session, our coach introduced the game to us, and we learned many things in our first-ever theory class. In the second session, we did some physical training and learned more things than I had learned at TRPC.
After many training sessions, we finally started our match - which wasn't just a match but was a source of joy, excitement, and even sadness sometimes. Some of our players - including me - even cried or got upset when losing, but this game teaches everyone that winning and losing are a part of the game. Sometimes we win and sometimes we fail, but it's all about journey and challenges. It isn't just a ball and a bat; it's meant to be a life for all of us.
But after a few days of lockdown came upon us, it was sad for all of us. Baseball, for a player like me, really is important like breathing air and I am trying my best for the U15 selection. The lockdown not only destroyed my dream but also every player's dream and even BBSA's dream was also crushed by this pandemic. For me, this lockdown is so boring and even one second feels like a year for me with no baseball. Because of the lockdown, I understood one thing there wasn't a "WOW" moment of joy and excitement until baseball came back into my life.
My friends and I are grateful to BBSA and our coach, who are doing their best to engage us to learn about baseball through various online platforms. I guess it is true that baseball is a game that has healing power. Baseball is the key to unlocking my happiness

By Lhaki Dema, Class Eight, Taba Lower Secondary School

Before I discovered baseball, I never dreamed of becoming anyone in my life. I have been studying just to live a comfortable life and to be an educated woman until baseball came into my life.
Today, baseball has become more important to me and when I enter the field it brings lots of joy and happiness while I am playing with my classmates.
Staying with my team and playing with them boosted my interest in baseball immeasurably. When I play baseball, I experience a strange feeling that I am not able to express or describe - yet I can vividly say, that strange feeling is a positive sign as it makes me calm and peaceful, and I have come a long way and I have much further to go. Though I am a little afraid about my life since I am just 16, I can't hold back as I have to move on, and therefore, I would love to grab any opportunities coming my way which bring joy, happiness, and peace to my life.
Who on earth would not be happy to have friends to enjoy, play with, and meet new friends from different places? Getting myself into the field of sports and having sports come into my life is the most unforgettable day of my life. I have a passion to live a successful life through sports.
I believe that we are still in an era where a large number of females must take one step backward to make progress in the field of sports and therefore, I want to dedicate wholeheartedly to sports to become successful in life, to encourage other female athletes, and to serve my nation.
Although I have many things to share, I want to keep myself silent by sharing a thought for the day
“Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall”
– Confucius.
Lastly, a simple message to all the youth and students of Bhutan. It's the new generation and everything is possible therefore, just try out any sports that you like rather than always sticking with the textbooks as we can become successful through sports too. And, be a role model and set a good example to others.

By Kinley Zam, Class Nine, Taba Lower Secondary School

Did someone ever ask you the word "WHY" over your decision? Is your decision good enough to give you justice? Now when someone gives you the opportunity, I would initially release my feelings over "WHY BASEBALL" to all - For me, baseball is an enchanted art, baseball is a fun game, baseball is motivational, baseball is educational, baseball is health, baseball is a shower of hidden talent, baseball is influential, baseball is youth time, and on top of that baseball is all about cooperation/ teamwork.
As a result, I chose baseball when I experienced those for the first time in my life. And I always gain consciousness more than a doctor's therapy when I play baseball on the beautiful field. From the bottom of my feet to my head and from the deepest of my heart, I had felt pride, joy, and all POSITIVE feelings when I played baseball. I learned all sorts of things that are essential in our life when I played baseball.
I would like to thank the baseball association of Bhutan and my coach for the opportunity to play.

By Jamyang Tshomo, Class Nine, Taba Lower Secondary School

To be given the chance to play baseball was one of the greatest times of my life. I have played baseball since August 19th, 2021. Before that - forget about getting to play, I haven't ever heard of it. However, it came as a surprise when 18 of us were introduced to the game.
Initially, I felt weird to even try since the game itself was an alien in our country, or at least to me. Later I was more than happy that it happened and equally felt fortunate for being a part of it because I now see it as a source of my hope, inspiration, motivation and not as a mere game. Hence, I always consider it a blessing in disguise to me.

By Jigdrel Penjore, Class Nine, Taba Lower Secondary School

I chose baseball because it is a fun sport where we come together with friends and families to have fun. Baseball was new for me and my friends, and I wanted to learn about the sport and that's why I chose baseball.
Now even though I know much about baseball, I still choose baseball because it's a fun and enjoyable sport that I could play every day. Although I know a little about baseball, I want to know more about it, and my dedication to knowing more about it made me choose baseball.
I feel enjoyment when I play baseball because there are nine standard positions that I could play, each with its techniques, rules, and responsibilities. The funniest thing about baseball is whenever we argue with our friends, it releases the energy of hope to be together and have fun together.
Playing baseball is also one of the methods to keep ourselves fit and healthy. We have to run, bat, catch, throw, bend, jump, and many various exercises in the game of baseball, which helps enhance our health and well-being. Last but not least, baseball is the most enjoyable game I have ever played.

By Sonam Deki, Class Nine, Taba Lower Secondary School

Baseball was a game that I used to see on the television in cartoons called Doraemon when I was young. I would be very happy when I see that game in the cartoon and also wanted to play it in real life.
When I was in 8th grade one of my teachers talked about baseball games in our country. I was very happy and excited to play for the first time, but also nervous to play with others.
Playing with Thimphu Primary School in motithang and learning more about baseball, my interest in this game grew bigger than before. Our school team got a coach so we could learn more about baseball, and our coach told us that we will have baseball games with other schools.
The games with other schools were funny, scary, and entertaining, but I got to learn many things, and together with that we had fun and made many beautiful moments with others.
Baseball is the best game for me!