‘Great memories’ will be created at upcoming WBSC U-12 Baseball World Cup, says Tainan City Deputy Mayor

TAIPEI, Taiwan -- As the official schedule was unveiled for the VI WBSC U-12 Baseball World Cup (29 July to 7 August) in Tainan, everyone who took the podium at yesterday’s press conference underlined the same message: many parties at the highest levels of the government and sport in Taiwan have had to work together tirelessly to arrive to this point.

The sixth edition of the WBSC U-12 Baseball World Cup, originally scheduled for 2021, will finally take place following two previous postponements due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Chinese Taipei Baseball Association (CTBA) President Jeffrey Koo Jr. said: “I want to express my appreciation to all parties for their support to ensure the smooth delivery of the tournament. I especially want to thank WBSC 1st Vice President Tom Peng for his contribution of securing the U-12 Baseball World Cup in Taiwan.”

Koo also remarked that he’d paid for “all the steaks and ice creams” that the Chinese Taipei players wanted, provided the team, the defending U-12 World Champions, plays good baseball.

Deputy mayor of Tainan City Dr. Chien Tai said: “[As the host city], we worked very hard to make sure the tournament could be held as scheduled...[meeting] the highest standards and complying with all regulations of the CDC (Center of Disease Control).” Tai told the press conference: “I may not be able to buy everyone steaks and ice cream, but I will ensure that everyone who comes to Taiwan will leave with great memories.”

For the U-12 World Cup, the CTBA and hosting city were required by the Central Epidemic Command Center to come up with an extremely rigorous operation plan to ensure the highest level of pandemic prevention and safety measures to be carried out throughout the tournament.

In addition to the U-12 Baseball World Cup, the CTBA and the authorities are also working on delivering WBSC Congress in early July and the U-23 Baseball World Cup later this year.

“During the preparation stage (dating from months before the originally scheduled tournament last year), we have needed to update the operation plan almost every other week and submit it to the authorities,” the CTBA stated. “We have had countless meetings with the Tainan City government and all other parties, and we are doing whatever it takes to make sure that we provide a safe environment for everyone to enjoy the best game experience.”