VII WBSC U-12 Baseball World Cup ready to start Friday

TAINAN, Taiwan | The VII WBSC U-12 Baseball World Cup will return to Tainan and play its seventh edition when it gets under way on Friday. The popular global tournament will open with Japan facing Mexico and the Dominican Republic taking on Panama at 11:00 (local time) on 28 July. Hosts Chinese Taipei will play against Australia at 18:30 after the Asia-Pacific International Baseball Stadium opening ceremony.

On Thursday, a press conference was staged featuring local dignitaries and the host team Chinese Taipei.

Host city Tainan mayor Wei-Cher Huang presented local-grown food to the Chinese Taipei team and encouraged them to play their best during a press conference.

With Typhoon Doksuri’s storm circle still covering a majority part of southwestern Taiwan island, Mayor Huang stated that: “We hope that the tournament will be carried out as smoothly as possible, and we will work closely with the WBSC to ensure the safety of the teams and the success of the tournament. Also, our brand-new indoor practice field is state-of-the-art and perfect for the teams when we are having inclined weather like this.”

Chinese Taipei Baseball Association Deputy Secretary General Te-Kang Lai also pointed out that: “At the Asia-Pacific International Baseball Stadium, we have one of the best drainage systems in the country, so we are confident that we can get into the game shape fairly quickly once the rain stops.”

Chinese Taipei is managed by Ming-Jen Chen, winning manager of the U-12 qualification tournament from Tafalong Elementary in east coast Hualian County, who has been leading the team's training camp for a little over a month. "We have kids from different schools, who different coaches taught, so it takes at least a week to get used to a more neutral type of coaching, if different from what they were taught back home," he commented.

Mayor Huang showcased his sense of humour by stating again, “Don’t worry about the weather and don’t feel the pressure. Just win the title!”

Manager Chen laughed when asked if he is feeling the pressure of winning the world title.

“I’d be lying if I said there is no pressure.” he said,” But I believe our players are at their best conditions. We will go all out, and please come to the stadium and cheer for us.”

Ya-En Chiu, a two-way player from Taoyuan Elementary in Taitung County, was excited to represent Chinese Taipei for the first time. “I think my current condition is good. I like my slider.”

Chiu also mentioned his idol player, the late Jose Oliva (1971-1997; he played his last season for the Brother Elephants of the Chinese Professional Baseball League, CPBL). “Because he was an excellent hitter, and I hope I can hit home runs in the tournament too.”

Chinese Taipei captain Sheng-Kai Kao, another two-way player from Tafalong Elementary in Hualian County, also looks forward to his first national team experience. “I hope to play against Japan because they have been so good.”

Kao’s favourite player is Chun-Wei Wu of the CTBC Brothers. “My favourite breaking ball pitch is the curve, but on the hitting side, I hope I can improve on the point of contact [of swing] better.”

Chinese Taipei arrived at Tainan roughly a week ago for the final preparation of the tournament. “We have been getting used to the environment, the venue, and the weather in Tainan,” said manager Chen. “I don’t know much about other teams at this point, but we will play our best facing Australia on the opening night.”