Active Aging in Taiwan - BULAO Baseball League

The BULAO Baseball League is now entering its 13th year. The 2025 regional competitions will kick off in April, with 19 teams from Northern, Central, and Southern Taiwan taking part in friendly matches. In February, we also hosted three information sessions to encourage more older adults to go out, stay active, and embrace healthy aging.

Grandma Yu, a 75-year-old retired PE teacher, excels in various high-intensity sports such as track and field, badminton, and tennis. She shared that back in her younger days, baseball was considered a boys-only sport, and girls simply didn’t get the chance to play. But she’s always had a passion for sports and had long dreamed of trying baseball.

When she finally joined the BULAO Baseball League, Grandma Yu realized just how different baseball is from other sports. She faced many challenges: her swing wasn’t smooth, her hits lacked power, and she couldn’t outrun the ball when running the bases.

But instead of giving up, she became even more determined. She spent extra time outside of team practices to work on her skills and overcome her challenges on the field. Today, Grandma Yu swings with confidence and runs the bases with determination.

Reflecting on her baseball journey, she says proudly, "BULAO Baseball not only keeps me active and healthy after retirement, but it has also given me the chance to learn something completely new. The more I play, the younger I feel!"

The Bulao Baseball League was founded by the Hondao Senior Citizen's Welfare Foundation 12 years ago to encourage older adults to stay active and develop regular exercise habits through baseball. Currently, there are 19 Bulao Baseball teams across Taiwan. We organize regional competitions, baseball summer camps for older adults, intergenerational baseball games, and various other activities, enriching the lives of our Bulao Baseball players.

According to the league's 2024 records, 19 teams and 667 players are participating from nine cities and counties across Taiwan. Among them, 15 players are over 80, with the eldest being 90-year-old Mr. Chuang from the Lanxin Tigers.

79-year-old Mr. Tsai from Pingtung is one of the founding members of the Bulao Baseball League. Once a ship captain, he has always been passionate about baseball, carrying a glove and ball with him wherever he went. No matter which country his ship docked in, he would always find time to practice his pitching onshore.

When Hondao launched the Bulao Baseball League initiative, he was a strong supporter from the very beginning, helping recruit players and even serving as a team captain. Although he has since retired from the role, his passion for the sport remains unwavering. He still joins practice sessions every week, not only to stay active but also to maintain a sense of purpose and fulfillment in life.

Hondao Senior Citizen's Welfare Foundation recognizes that many older adults struggle to find a new sense of purpose after retirement. However, after joining the baseball teams, they not only stay active through regular practice but also gain something even more valuable: a community of like-minded teammates. Through social engagement, they also reduce feelings of loneliness.

We welcome all older adults who love baseball to join the Bulao Baseball League and encourage everyone to cheer on our dedicated players!