Bhutan Ball
August 5, 2023 9:27 AM Subscribe
They had no grand design on establishing a baseball association, though: The two simply loved baseball -- DeSantis learning the game back in America, while Dorji fell in love while attending the World Children's Baseball Fair in Japan -- and wanted to offer it to the children who lived nearby the military barracks in Thimphu. from In the mountains of the world's most remote country, baseball takes hold
Not THAT DeSantis. That’s a relief.
posted by wittgenstein at 11:18 AM on August 5, 2023 [8 favorites]
posted by wittgenstein at 11:18 AM on August 5, 2023 [8 favorites]
It seems like it’s a pretty fun thing he’s doing there. More power to those Bhutanese kids who get to enjoy baseball.
posted by ambrosen at 12:05 PM on August 5, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by ambrosen at 12:05 PM on August 5, 2023 [1 favorite]
> Why baseball?
"The two simply loved baseball." -- That's why.
> Why not bring cricket to the kids?
Why not both? Baseball is already covered. As for cricket, all it would take is for someone who loves the sport to move to Bhutan and start an organization.
posted by smcdow at 12:24 PM on August 5, 2023 [3 favorites]
"The two simply loved baseball." -- That's why.
> Why not bring cricket to the kids?
Why not both? Baseball is already covered. As for cricket, all it would take is for someone who loves the sport to move to Bhutan and start an organization.
posted by smcdow at 12:24 PM on August 5, 2023 [3 favorites]
Not THAT DeSantis. That’s a relief.
Why should I change my name? He's the one that sucks!
But, from TFA, "6,000 children who are fast becoming baseball fanatics despite few having ever seen a Major League game."
I find that an odd construction. I wouldn't think Major League Baseball as it's played today would be much of an entry point for new fans. Major league games, in most sports actually, these days are complicated, expensive, offputting, and just not that much fun. You've got to be pretty dedicated already to go to the trouble of seeing a major league game. Even on TV.
It's the minor league local teams that can provide the kind of small-scale, accessible experience that brings in new fans.
posted by Naberius at 12:59 PM on August 5, 2023 [1 favorite]
Why should I change my name? He's the one that sucks!
But, from TFA, "6,000 children who are fast becoming baseball fanatics despite few having ever seen a Major League game."
I find that an odd construction. I wouldn't think Major League Baseball as it's played today would be much of an entry point for new fans. Major league games, in most sports actually, these days are complicated, expensive, offputting, and just not that much fun. You've got to be pretty dedicated already to go to the trouble of seeing a major league game. Even on TV.
It's the minor league local teams that can provide the kind of small-scale, accessible experience that brings in new fans.
posted by Naberius at 12:59 PM on August 5, 2023 [1 favorite]
By the way, it should be mentioned that the photo accompanying the article is absolutely an incredible shot.
posted by azpenguin at 2:35 PM on August 5, 2023 [5 favorites]
posted by azpenguin at 2:35 PM on August 5, 2023 [5 favorites]
MLB is the best baseball. MLB is the yardstick by which all baseball is measured. MLB is actually very reasonably priced and worth any cost regardless. MLB is fun and easy to watch! All baseball leads to MLB.
--MLB, probably
In all seriousness, I suspect MLB.com may prefer articles to be written through MLB-colored glasses.
smcdow: but whymale models baseball?
I guess what I'm really asking is, what's the goal here? If it's just to have fun and offer another sports option to kids and it's no burden locally, awesome. Nice of Wilton high School to send them gear! I'm not opposed to fun and sports, generally.
But it's a bit impractical, apparently. Large flat fields are hard to come by, and baseball gear has to be shipped in from afar at significant cost. And they're talking about hoping to get players in major leagues... I dunno about Japanese or Korean leagues but I think I've heard it's tough to get into American major league.
While yes, it's cynical, it seems a good idea to ask who and what this is for, ultimately. If it's for fun, coolio. If it starts being "you have a chance to go pro!" that seems like a disservice. If you want to give kids a chance at pro sports, it seems like it would be slightly more possible with sports closer to home.
(I'm aware that getting into pro sports is difficult for everyone everywhere.)
posted by Baethan at 2:41 PM on August 5, 2023 [1 favorite]
--MLB, probably
In all seriousness, I suspect MLB.com may prefer articles to be written through MLB-colored glasses.
smcdow: but why
I guess what I'm really asking is, what's the goal here? If it's just to have fun and offer another sports option to kids and it's no burden locally, awesome. Nice of Wilton high School to send them gear! I'm not opposed to fun and sports, generally.
But it's a bit impractical, apparently. Large flat fields are hard to come by, and baseball gear has to be shipped in from afar at significant cost. And they're talking about hoping to get players in major leagues... I dunno about Japanese or Korean leagues but I think I've heard it's tough to get into American major league.
While yes, it's cynical, it seems a good idea to ask who and what this is for, ultimately. If it's for fun, coolio. If it starts being "you have a chance to go pro!" that seems like a disservice. If you want to give kids a chance at pro sports, it seems like it would be slightly more possible with sports closer to home.
(I'm aware that getting into pro sports is difficult for everyone everywhere.)
posted by Baethan at 2:41 PM on August 5, 2023 [1 favorite]
I mean, the goal of the article is to make people have warm feelings about baseball, and to feel like it is a globally linked community.
The goal of the bloke setting up the kids baseball leagues in Bhutan should probably be taken at more or less face value. It's a nice way to get kids playing. There are worse types of cultural imperialism.
posted by ambrosen at 2:54 PM on August 5, 2023 [3 favorites]
The goal of the bloke setting up the kids baseball leagues in Bhutan should probably be taken at more or less face value. It's a nice way to get kids playing. There are worse types of cultural imperialism.
posted by ambrosen at 2:54 PM on August 5, 2023 [3 favorites]
When you bring a sport to Bhutan you can choose which one.
posted by hypnogogue at 3:06 PM on August 5, 2023 [4 favorites]
posted by hypnogogue at 3:06 PM on August 5, 2023 [4 favorites]
As someone else observed that photo of the batter hitting in front of the Buddha is the hardest-going baseball photo ever.
W/r/t cricket, the Bhutanese live just north of the largest and most important cricket playing country on the planet, if they want to play cricket they’ve got plenty of opportunity to be imperialised that way, I read this article as a fun other community sport.
And go the Thimphu Red Pandas!
posted by Fiasco da Gama at 4:01 PM on August 5, 2023 [2 favorites]
W/r/t cricket, the Bhutanese live just north of the largest and most important cricket playing country on the planet, if they want to play cricket they’ve got plenty of opportunity to be imperialised that way, I read this article as a fun other community sport.
And go the Thimphu Red Pandas!
posted by Fiasco da Gama at 4:01 PM on August 5, 2023 [2 favorites]
Already proudly wear my Savannah Bananas T-shirt. Ready to immediately spring for the Thumphu Red Panda one whenever it comes available.
posted by Droll Lord at 4:16 PM on August 5, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by Droll Lord at 4:16 PM on August 5, 2023 [2 favorites]
So shortly after I started reading the article I went on a small wikipedia dive to establish a little basic knowledge about Bhutan as a county. I returned to finish the article afterwards. Which is to say that found it a slightly odd experience to read glowing terms about the country's commitment to Gross National Happiness and environmental conservation right after learning about the country's fairly recent ethnic cleansing efforts.
Like, this is a feel-good puff piece, and that's probably okay. But... hm. I'm sure they're a lovely country, but their commitment to the happiness of their people seems contingent on those being the right sort of people.
I would be interested in this article from a serious source that was actually willing to understand the internal dynamics of Bhutan that enabled baseball in particular to take off.
posted by vibratory manner of working at 4:17 PM on August 5, 2023 [1 favorite]
Like, this is a feel-good puff piece, and that's probably okay. But... hm. I'm sure they're a lovely country, but their commitment to the happiness of their people seems contingent on those being the right sort of people.
I would be interested in this article from a serious source that was actually willing to understand the internal dynamics of Bhutan that enabled baseball in particular to take off.
posted by vibratory manner of working at 4:17 PM on August 5, 2023 [1 favorite]
Baethan: If this had anything to do with pro leagues looking for talent, the article would have included mentions of scouts, I guarantee it. Never going to happen in Bhutan.
As for MLB posting articles about baseball, I mean come on, it's about baseball. It's what MLB does. Ain't no scouts at the Longtime in Austin, TX.
posted by smcdow at 6:29 PM on August 5, 2023 [2 favorites]
As for MLB posting articles about baseball, I mean come on, it's about baseball. It's what MLB does. Ain't no scouts at the Longtime in Austin, TX.
posted by smcdow at 6:29 PM on August 5, 2023 [2 favorites]
I've read articles and books about Bhutan occasionally for decades, definitely not a real expert, but have perhaps more depths of knowledge than an afternoon of reading Wikipedia.
It might be helpful to think of Bhutan as being similar to Tibet, but not owned by China, and fully aware of what's happened to Tibet. Which is too say, they are politically aware that they are isolated geographically, but also tiny, and living in a time when that geographic isolation won't really matter if one of their neighbors decides to try to eat them. And at that point, they can likely look forward to the same kind of genocide that the Chinese have committed in Tibet, or perhaps the equally rosy situation of Muslims in India.
So one could view the long term growth of ethnic Nepalese, Indians, or Chinese subpopulations as a significant political threat: Eventually one of those countries might say that 'Crimea is full of Russians, and therefore part of Russia' and claim all or part of the country. This is especially pernicious as the country does have other assets which their neighbors might covet (especially: water with a lot of potential energy). (And indeed, Wikipedia mentions the 'Greater Nepal' movement as a motivation for Bhutan's expulsion of Nepalese residents in the 90's.)
I suspect a preference for baseball over cricket might come from a deep-seated need to be culturally district from their neighbors.
The former monarchy worked pretty hard to maintain their distinct culture, strongly limiting tourism and outlawing television until 2002. Television was iirc allowed in as part of a long term plan to transition to constitutional monarchy, which succeeded in 2008.
I also suspect that Bhutan's government /really likes/ being adored by Western governments, as it makes it more likely that those governments will speak up if one of the neighbors makes a move. Western interest has been a huge factor in the survival of Tibetan culture, and I am sure the Bhutanese decision-makers know it well.
It is a genuinely fascinating country! Despite all of the realpolitik I just outlined, I do think the motivation behind GNH is genuine, and that those hundreds of kids showing up for practice are genuinely excited to play ball.
So in closing, Go Red Pandas.
posted by kaibutsu at 3:10 PM on August 6, 2023 [3 favorites]
It might be helpful to think of Bhutan as being similar to Tibet, but not owned by China, and fully aware of what's happened to Tibet. Which is too say, they are politically aware that they are isolated geographically, but also tiny, and living in a time when that geographic isolation won't really matter if one of their neighbors decides to try to eat them. And at that point, they can likely look forward to the same kind of genocide that the Chinese have committed in Tibet, or perhaps the equally rosy situation of Muslims in India.
So one could view the long term growth of ethnic Nepalese, Indians, or Chinese subpopulations as a significant political threat: Eventually one of those countries might say that 'Crimea is full of Russians, and therefore part of Russia' and claim all or part of the country. This is especially pernicious as the country does have other assets which their neighbors might covet (especially: water with a lot of potential energy). (And indeed, Wikipedia mentions the 'Greater Nepal' movement as a motivation for Bhutan's expulsion of Nepalese residents in the 90's.)
I suspect a preference for baseball over cricket might come from a deep-seated need to be culturally district from their neighbors.
The former monarchy worked pretty hard to maintain their distinct culture, strongly limiting tourism and outlawing television until 2002. Television was iirc allowed in as part of a long term plan to transition to constitutional monarchy, which succeeded in 2008.
I also suspect that Bhutan's government /really likes/ being adored by Western governments, as it makes it more likely that those governments will speak up if one of the neighbors makes a move. Western interest has been a huge factor in the survival of Tibetan culture, and I am sure the Bhutanese decision-makers know it well.
It is a genuinely fascinating country! Despite all of the realpolitik I just outlined, I do think the motivation behind GNH is genuine, and that those hundreds of kids showing up for practice are genuinely excited to play ball.
So in closing, Go Red Pandas.
posted by kaibutsu at 3:10 PM on August 6, 2023 [3 favorites]
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Wikipedia says that besides archery and darts, basketball is very popular in Bhutan. I can see it being difficult and costly to make basketball courts, where mainly you just need a good-sized field for baseball right?
But cricket has become popular there. Why not bring cricket to the kids? This skit sums up how well I understand cricket (I don't) but cricket is far more popular than baseball worldwide. Would kids enjoy cricket just as much as they apparently do baseball? Do they already have cricket teams and some kids just enjoy baseball which I suppose is allowed? Are team sports currently a rarity for kids so this is a case of something is better than nothing? What's the non-MLB take?
I admittedly have a bit of a chip on my shoulder regarding DeSantis's background which makes me cynical about this. Yesterday on another thread involving Connecticut, I mentioned how the state is not all rich people and some areas are mostly working class. For non CT-ers who just think of Greenwich and Yale when they think of Connecticut... yeeaahh DeSantis is from exactly that kind of town and went to exactly that kind of private school.
Not that that invalidates anything he's doing. Just between his background and the fact that the article is put out by big baseball, I'm not taking it at face value.
posted by Baethan at 10:14 AM on August 5, 2023 [3 favorites]