Bayley Bonso-Bruce, center, poses with participants from a youth softball clinic in Accra, Ghana, during her equipment donation trip over spring break, April 2025.
Bayley Bonso-Bruce Brings Softball, Hope to Ghana
Bayley Bonso-Bruce, a 2027 softball standout from Virginia and longtime member of the Glory organization, took her love for the game far beyond the diamond this spring. Over spring break, Bonso-Bruce and her mother, Abena Bonso-Bruce—who is originally from Ghana in West Africa—traveled to Accra with a unique mission: to introduce the sport of softball to young girls in Ghana, bring gear, and create a lasting impact.
What began as a simple social media connection turned into something powerful. With a heart for service and a passion for the game, Bayley partnered with Ghana Shock Softball to host a youth clinic, donate equipment, and inspire girls eager to play despite limited resources.
A Player with Purpose
Bonso-Bruce , a multisport athlete who plays first base, catcher, and outfield at Riverside High School, has been playing softball for over eight years. While her on-field résumé is impressive, it’s her off-field effort that set this story apart.
“We usually visit Ghana to see family,” Bonso-Bruce shared. “This time, I saw Ghana Shock Softball on Twitter and just reached out. I asked if there was anything I could do to help, and that’s how it all started.”
Bayley Bonso-Bruce, right, watches as coaches unpack donated softball gear during her visit to Accra, Ghana, in April 2025.
She began collecting used gear—gloves, bats, cleats, balls—and packed it all for the family’s trip overseas.
“It’s such a small thing here, gathering old gear,” she said. “But in Ghana, it’s a huge deal. They just don’t have access to it like we do.”
Bayley Bonso-Bruce poses with donated softball gear outside her home in Virginia before departing for Ghana, where she led a youth clinic and equipment drop, March 2025.
A Clinic with Heart
Upon arrival in Ghana, Bonso-Bruce connected with Coach George from Ghana Shock and helped organize a mini clinic with 18 players on a multipurpose recreational field. There were no dugouts, no chalk lines, no manicured grass—just raw enthusiasm under the intense West African sun.
“They were diving on rocky ground,” she said. “There wasn’t even a real field. They had to map out home plate and bases themselves. But they were still out there—smiling, working hard, wanting to learn.”
Bayley Bonso-Bruce, right, demonstrates a swing during a hitting drill at a youth softball clinic in Accra, Ghana, April 2025
News reporters came to cover the clinic, capturing video and interviews that would later air locally. For Bayley, the moment wasn’t about media—it was about meaning.
“I just wanted to give back,” she said. “Softball has given me so much, and this was a way to share that with others who don’t get the same opportunity.”
Bayley Bonso-Bruce, right, works with a player during a hitting drill at a softball clinic hosted in Accra, Ghana, April 2025.
A Mother’s Pride and Perspective
Bayley’s mother, Abena Bonso-Bruce, still remembers her surprise when she first learned softball even existed in Ghana.
“I didn’t grow up with softball,” Abena said. “We were familiar with basketball, but not this. Then Bayley told me she’d found a team on Twitter, and that she wanted to help. I was amazed.”
The Bonso-Bruce family received support from coaches, teammates, and staff at Riverside High School, who pitched in gear and encouragement.
“Her coaches literally scrubbed the used equipment clean,” Abena said. “Everyone stepped up.”
Bayley Bonso-Bruce, left, and her mother, Abena Bonso-Bruce, enjoy lunch during their visit to Ghana to lead a softball outreach trip, April 2025.
Abena couldn’t attend the clinic in person but watched through family-shared videos.
“It was humbling,” she reflected. “You can walk into a store here and spend $500 on a bat without thinking about it. Over there, the appreciation for even one used glove is unbelievable.”
Bayley Bonso-Bruce pushes a cart loaded with softball gear at Kotoka International Airport in Accra, Ghana, April 2024. The equipment was collected for donation.
More Than a Game
The clinic and gear drop were only part of the mission. For Bayley, the experience left a deep emotional impact.
“They taught me to appreciate the game more,” she said. “Sometimes we take the sport for granted here. But those girls—they’re out there in 90-degree heat, on a soccer field, just thankful to play.”
One of her long-term goals is to host a future camp at the U.S. Embassy field in Accra, which is the only regulation-sized softball field in the country. She hopes that with continued support and awareness, more resources and opportunities will be created for girls in Ghana who want to pursue the game.
“I want to do more,” Bayley said. “This trip showed me how powerful softball can be when it brings people together.”
Bayley Bonso-Bruce, right, watches as coaches unpack donated softball gear during her visit to Accra, Ghana, in April 2025.
A Global Message
Bayley’s story is part of a growing movement to expand softball internationally and use the game as a bridge between cultures. Programs like Play Global! and the Baseball and Softball Development Commission of the WBSC have echoed similar missions to bring youth baseball and softball to underserved regions around the world.
But this story—of a 16-year-old girl with a suitcase full of used gear and a heart full of purpose—shows that making an impact doesn’t always require a big stage. Sometimes, it just takes one person willing to serve.
Bayley Bonso-Bruce takes a selfie with players from Ghana Shock Softball following her clinic in Accra, Ghana, April 2025.
Moving Forward
Extra Inning Softball proudly spotlights athletes like Bayley Bonso-Bruce, whose leadership extends far beyond statistics. Her efforts remind us that the game’s greatest gift isn’t always a scholarship or a championship—it’s the opportunity to connect, give, and grow.
To read more inspiring stories like this one, become an Extra Inning Softball member today and gain access to exclusive interviews, national player rankings, and more.
