By: Kevin Sypolt
ksypolt@gmail.com
Bangkok Baseball Softball Association (BBSA) has organized baseball/softball play for the past 56 years in Bangkok. There are leagues for boys and girls ages 4 yrs – 18 yrs. Please note registration is open from now until November 11th. We must register players now so we have time to hold player assessments, form teams and order player uniforms before play begins. Current fees per player are THB 3,600. Registration fees will increase to THB 4,100 on November 12th so be sure to register before that date.
You can make your payment at the Community Activity Office (CAO) or pay by Thai bank wire transfer. Cash, credit cards and Thai baht checks are accepted for payment at the CAO office. The CAO Office is open Monday – Friday, 7:00AM to 11:00AM and 12:00PM to 3:00PM.
Please note that BBSA is switching to fast pitch softball for the intermediate and senior girls softball leagues this year since ISB high school will begin playing fast pitch softball this year in IASAS competition.
Player assessment will be held on Sunday November 13th at the ISB fields. All players are strongly encouraged to attend their assessment sessions to allow the coaches to create fair and balanced teams. Parents will be contacted about the specific times for their player’s assessment session.
Practices will begin the week of Nov 14th with Opening Day for baseball/softball on Saturday, Nov 19th. All games are played on Friday evenings and Saturdays at ISB. Games will continue every weekend until the league championships the weekend of February 25th/26th. There will be no games during the winter break at ISB but we will continue play on Saturday, January 7th 2017. The game schedule will be published once we know how many players are registered.
All teams will practice once per week during the season as a weekly practice is important to skills development and to learn the fundamentals of teamwork, etc. Most practices will take place at the ISB fields on weekday evenings (Monday – Thursday). The team coach will determine when to have practice. We have arranged a downtown Bangkok location for an optional weekly practice. Parents will have to pay THB 500 for the season for this practice because of field charges. We are waiting to confirm which day we can have the practice but all players should register to play even if they cannot commit to attending all weekly practice sessions.
On the registration form you will also have an opportunity to volunteer to be a coach, assistant coach or team parent. Please consider helping out with your child’s team in some way. The kids really love having their parents helping out with their team and you will have a great time. No previous baseball experience is necessary.
BBSA has purchased a limited number of fielding gloves for players who need them. These will be sold on our assessment day.
Please go to https://www.isb.ac.th/