MLB bets on school-level baseball to grow the sport in India
MLB’s India office, opened in 2019 after a 15-year discussion, is focusing on school programs and youth tournaments rather than professional leagues.
After a decade-long dialogue, MLB opened its sixth international office in India in 2019, led by Ryo Takahashi. The league’s approach rejects professional franchises and TV-driven growth, opting to plant baseball in schools across Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru through the First Pitch programme and the expanding MLB Cup tournament. Takahashi views cricket as an asset, noting Indian kids already possess the basic throwing and catching skills needed for baseball.
Broadcast timing remains a hurdle, with games airing in the early morning for Indian viewers, so MLB treats media as a support to grassroots participation. The upcoming MLBX event in Mumbai will showcase a 3-on-3 format, home-run contests and cultural entertainment, leveraging former cricketer Suryakumar Yadav’s involvement to spark interest. Takahashi’s long-term goal is a self-sustaining baseball ecosystem in India by 2031, with thousands of young players and a national team, even eyeing Olympic inclusion.
Why it matters
MLB’s grassroots push could introduce a new sport to millions of Indian children, reshaping the country's one outlet landscape.
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