- Title: CHINA: BASEBALL - First Major League Baseball match in China
- Date: 16th March 2008
- Summary: BEIJING, CHINA (MARCH 15, 2008) (REUTERS) WIDE OF THE BASEBALL FIELD PLAYER THROWING AND CATCHING THE BALL YOUNG SPECTATORS WIDE OF THE BASEBALL FIELD AND PLAYERS TWO SPECTATORS WATCHING THE MATCH (SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) UNIVERSITY STUDENT WANG WEI SAYING: "I don't think one or two baseball matches are enough to get people excited. This can only tell people what baseball is and how it's played. I'm not sure if this match will make spectators will fall in love with this kind of baseball game. But my girl friend, for example, seems quite interested in today's match. And I think she might be falling in love with it". PLAYERS PLAYING BASEBALL ON THE PITCH (SOUNDBITE) (English), JOHAM SUM KIN, INVESTMENT EXPERT, SAYING "Well actually I think the Chinese people don't like baseball very much, compared to basketball. But if you have many more chances like this kind of exposure, the famous teams and associations will definitely have some influence on Chinese baseball. PLAYER THROWING BASEBALL FEMALE SPECTATOR WATCHING THE MATCH (SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin), WU QIANNAN, COMPANY WORKER, SAYING: "This game won't have any great effect, although it may get people interested. We have to have basic education in baseball. We need to let people know about the basic rules of this kind of game. We should promote baseball education at primary schools, just like the Japanese have done." WHOLE OF BASEBALL PITCH PADRES PLAYER WAITING TO CATCH THE BALL SHOOT OF ALL OF THE BASEBALL PITCH
- Embargoed: 31st March 2008 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: China
- Country: China
- Topics: Sports
- Reuters ID: LVAEW935BCBF6SSB8371W6LDRB5B
- Story Text: The opening game of the first ever Major League Baseball Series in China took place in Beijing on Saturday (March 15) as part of a drive by the League to get Chinese excited about the all-American sport.
The game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres, which was part of Major League Baseball China Series 2008, is the first showcase for the baseball in a country relatively unfamiliar with the sport.
The game was be held at the new 12,000-seat Wukesong Baseball Field in Beijing, the host venue for baseball during the 2008 Olympic Games.
Major League Baseball (MLB) has plans to make the sport as popular among the Chinese as it is with their Asian neighbours in Taiwan, South Korea and Japan over the next decade or so. The forthcoming Olympic Games in August offer another opportunity.
However some spectators believe the two games being played this weekend will not be enough to make a real difference.
"I don't think one or two baseball matches are enough to get people excited. This can only tell people what baseball is and how it's played. I'm not sure if this match will make spectators will fall in love with this kind of baseball game. But my girl friend, for example, seems quite interested in today's match. And I think she might be falling in love with it," said university student Wang Wei.
China is already hooked on basketball. Baseball enjoys only a low fanbase in China, and a large number of the crowd at Saturday's (March 15) game were from Beijing's foreign community. Korean spectator Joham Sum Kim believes that it could catch on with persistence.
"Well, actually I think the Chinese people don't like baseball very much, compared to basketball. But if you have many more chances like this kind of exposure, the famous teams and associations will definitely have some influence to Chinese baseball."
Wu Qiannan, an office worker, said that if the Chinese knew more about the sport they would respond well to it.
"This game won't have any great effect, although it may get people interested. We have to have basic education in baseball. We need to let people know about the basic rules of this kind of game. We should promote baseball education at primary schools, just like the Japanese have done."
The enormous popularity in China of Chinese NBA basketball player Yao Ming has set MLB on their own hunt for a baseball superstar to get the Chinese watching.
Five years ago, Major League Baseball signed an agreement with the Chinese Baseball Association (CBA) that allowed MLB clubs to scout and sign players in China. MLB, in return, needs to provide coaching and umpire training to China, as well as the coach for the Chinese national team.
Baseball has been voted out of the Olympics the Beijing summer games will be its last Olympic appearance. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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