History Made: First-Ever Nairobi Little League Launches

This past Sunday, March 2nd, 2025, the dream of Little League baseball in Nairobi officially came to life. Against all odds, and with the full force of community spirit behind it, Nairobi Little League — the city’s first-ever Little League International-chartered season — launched at Kenya School of TVET (KSTVET) in the Gigiri suburb of Nairobi.

With nearly 150 boys and girls (ages 12 and under) taking the field across 8 teams, the pilot season represents a historic milestone for baseball in Kenya. It’s the result of years of grassroots efforts by Kenyan coaches, community leaders, and international partners dedicated to bringing the joy of baseball to youth — and it couldn’t have come at a more symbolic time.

Just days before Opening Day, a $15,000 grant awarded by the U.S. Embassy in Kenya to jumpstart the league’s pilot season was terminated due to a global halt in U.S. State Department grant activities — before any funds were distributed. But rather than pause the dream, we pressed play.

Thanks to individual donors, partner organizations, and an incredible volunteer base, over 200 attendees gathered to celebrate as the first games of the season were played on adapted football fields outfitted with 60-foot base paths and 200-foot fences, using cricket nets for safety and run by youth leaders from the Nairobi Baseball Community Series.

More importantly the pilot season will serve as a test period and learning season to work through a range of issues that have challenged Little League from growing in Kenya and across Africa.

These teams represent a cross-section of Nairobi County, Kiambu County, and North Kajiado Sub-County, and the energy they brought to the first day was nothing short of electric.

What made this day possible wasn’t funding — it was faith, community, and the enduring belief that every child deserves a place to play.

To all the volunteers, youth officials, coaches, parents, and supporters — thank you. Nairobi Little League is officially here, and with your help, it’s only the beginning.

If we build it... they will play.

Here are details about the pilot Nairobi Little League Season

The Teams Taking the Field:

• Gigiri Golden Hawks

• Kabete Cares Baseball Academy (Lower Kabete)

• Kangemi Jr. Buffaloes

• Kibagare Angels

• Kibera Twins Shanties

• JKUAT Jr. Generals (Juja Farm)

• Maasai Warriors

• Shangilia Tarheels

  
  

Pilot Season Play & Learning Objectives

Primary Objective:

• Implement a pilot Little League season in Nairobi to celebrate U.S.–Kenya ties and test best practices for local implementation.

Secondary Objective:

• Lay the foundation for a long-term, sustainable Little League structure in Kenya.

Season Goals:

• Conduct a 5-game season and hold a championship in September at the Nairobi Baseball Community Championship Festival at the Nairobi Field of Dreams.

• Learn how to charter and grow teams with Little League International.

• Build visibility and excitement around youth baseball in Kenya.

What We're Exploring & Learning About

• Application of Little League International standards in Kenya

• League administration and rules

• Age verification protocols

• Coaching and leadership development

• Operational cost models

• Training of officials and umpires

• Optimal game formats and venue layouts

• How to scale local leagues into a national league structure

  
  

Game Format

• Ages: 12 and under

• Games: 1.5 to 2 hours

• Season: 5 regular games

• Championship: September 2025 at Nairobi Field of Dreams

• Fields: Two games can be played simultaneously on a standard football pitch

  
  

Our Partners

• Little League International – Chartering & learning partner

• Angels at Bat – Coaching support & pilot season collaboration

• Baseball 4 Africa & Pitch In For Baseball & Softball – Donated equipment for 4 teams

• KSTVET – Hosting partner with reduced field costs

• Basigo – Transportation partner, providing electric buses for team travel