By Jason Pan, Special IBAF Correspondent, Chinese Taipei
The Taichung City team downed Kaohsiung City 11-6 in the final game showdown on Sunday, May 12, to captured the 2013 Herbalife Cup (for U12 age group).
Represented mostly by U12 students from the Daren Elementary School, the Taichung City team had the unbeaten 4-0 record through this tournament, and now earns the right to represent Chinese Taipei at the II IBAF 12U Baseball World Cup in July.
In the rain-postponed showdown at the Taipei Youth Park Field on May 12, Taichung City scored 10 runs in the 2nd and 3rd innings.
Their opposition, the Fusing Elementary School team from Kaohsiung City, tried to rally in later innings but could not overcome the deficit and had to settle for second place at this 2013 Herbalife Cup tournament.
Winning pitcher for Taichung was Chiu Chih-heng, as he went 4.1 innings, yielding 8 hits and 6 runs. Chiu can hit as well. He had a 2-for-3 day with 1 RBI in the final game.
With one home run in an earlier contest, and an overall .615 batting average, Chiu was selected the tourney’s MVP for his overall pitching and hitting display.
Taichung City team manager Liu Ruei-cheng said after the game, “Although the core of our team came from Daren school, we also had some players joining us from the other elementary schools in our district. They bonded together within a short time to play as a winning team. These kids showed they are quick learners and can make the adjustments.”
Tournament’s RBI Award went to Lin Chih-wei of New Taipei City with 9 RBIs. The Best Pitcher honor was given to Wu Po-wei, also of New Taipei City, for his 2 wins and an ERA of 0.64.
For the II IBAF 12U Baseball World Cup, 16 national teams will compete from July 18 to 28, 2013, in Taipei City, Chinese Taipei.
The participating countries are divided into two groups – Group A: Chinese Taipei, Mexico, Japan, Italy, Colombia, Czech Republic, India, Hong Kong, and Group B: USA, Venezuela, Brazil, Korea, Panama, Nigeria, Russia, Pakistan.
