A passion for baseball

Chun Wang, San Diego, CA — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 19:04:53 GMT

Come on!!! Baseball in China? What Chinese player playing for an American team can China look up to....NOBODY!.

Basketball is the sport the youth of China are more interested in. They have more players to look up to making lots of money in America and doing great things for the country. There is Yao Ming, Wang Tse Tse (spelling) and more new players to come.

Get Real!

A passion for baseball

Daryll - Manchester, NH — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 19:27:01 GMT

Work and life - as in Baseball - one must play their part and yet be prepared to cover another's area as one fileder comes to back up another and as they relay to each other showing team effort. I beleive this man from China has the right idea. Japanese embraced it - and look what they have accomplished in 60 years!!

A passion for baseball

Christopher Rodriguez, Opelousas, Louisiana — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 19:35:28 GMT

It's great to see a world power like China catching the sports fever we have here. Sports like baseball keep us entertained and peacefull. If only the Middle Eastern countries would catch the fever.

A passion for baseball

michael spfld mo — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 19:43:53 GMT

Good deal, it maybe the open door policy that foreign countries desire as to have relations warm.Baseball been very very good...to me.

A passion for baseball

Clayton Crites, Olympia, Washington — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 19:56:06 GMT

I think that its great that these children get to experience baseball and the joys it brings to life, i know it did mine.

A passion for baseball

You don't need to be smart to figure out — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 20:50:46 GMT

Would someone never be selected to play, just like most of wasted lives in the name of organization. Lining up people doesn't alway solve problem of the world. Otherwise, Roman and Hitler should be the way to go. Who had chosen them and who had fought the Empirial Japanese?

A passion for baseball

Geri Britt — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 20:51:55 GMT

Personally I think this article is great. When I counsel people about what kind of people they want to look for in a friend or mate: Find someone who has played team sports particularly if they have been an only child. Team sports teaches teamwork whereas playing video games all of the time isolates people and makes them loners. I'm not saying that video games are bad games, for they do have their upside with regards to teaching people to fire their brain on all twelve cylinders simultaneously. However, the downside to this is: Our public schools are still using the older linear thought methods to teach subjects, this method I suspect is boring the heck out of school children which in turn reduces their comprehension levels, particularly if they aren't fond of reading.

If you want your children to grow up mentally and physically healthy, with the ability to cope with life and other people, turn off the TV and their video games once in awhile and enroll them in at least one team sport, particularly if you have only one child.

A passion for baseball

Anonymous — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 21:12:29 GMT

"Come on!!! Baseball in China? What Chinese player playing for an American team can China look up to....NOBODY!. "

Chien-Ming Wang, the Yankees ace, is Chinese. He was born in Taiwan, but both the Taipei and Beijing governments insist that Taiwan is part of China.

A passion for baseball

Ninja Tickets, Washington DC — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 21:36:46 GMT

I think this would be a great idea. It caught on in Japan quite well.

A passion for baseball

Rob, San Francisco, CA — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 21:37:14 GMT

Great article. Baseball has a long way to go in China still. They just need one big star to jump start the process. Look what Yao Ming did for basketball. Yankees is doing a good thing by trying to develop baseball in China. The market potential is huge and it is a good thing for Chinese people to enjoy a game we all enjoy so much here.

A passion for baseball

Wong Kin Man (same written Chinese character as Wang Chien MIng) — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 22:03:41 GMT

Chung Wong from San Diego it totally wrong about having no great Chinese player in the MBL. There is Wang Chien Ming playing for the Yankees. He may not have a good season this year but he was among the contender for Cy Young last year. While Taiwan and China are politically apart, they are all Chinese.

A passion for baseball

Jerry W. Perkins, Phoenix, AZ — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 22:11:36 GMT

For a country that built a wall to keep out Mongolians, it is great to hear that they are on the verge to accepting a sport that originates outside of the border. Perhaps the next generation of leaders born from the baseball teams of tommorow will demonstrate teamwork on a global level. One can hope!

A passion for baseball

Paul Houghtaling — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 22:11:51 GMT

Baseball was introduced into China in the 1860's before Japan. Wow, it seems the only thing that has held it back has been the Chinese government-What a surprise!

A passion for baseball

Diane Collins, Tampa, Fl — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 22:37:11 GMT

Football is like life too. As soon as you get the ball (opporotunitiy) you have many obstacles ( defense players, executing plays, strategy etc., someone beating you up). The plays can be short or long (passes and runs). You can lose focus (fumble). Recover (intercept). Finally make points ( get the contract, win the girl/guy, get a raise, seal the deal etc.) and then YOU START ALL OVER AGAIN!

China should play baseball too. The chinese people in the mountains and mongolia are probably the right type to play football. Let's hear it for Mongolia Yaks!!! Yeah team!

A passion for baseball

craig smith. lomita, ca — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 22:46:44 GMT

who cares about sports in china? we should be more worried about the poison food products comming out of china. we should ban ALL imports as a safety concern. but no, lets instead talk sports? give me a break.

A passion for baseball

Angel — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 23:15:21 GMT

Children of today are the leaders of tomorrow, so if they can learn to play as a team and function in harmony with other teams now while it may do some good, HOW IS THIS A BAD THING? Those future leaders, in China, USA or any other country, need to propagate a positive and productive relationship. Let them have fun while they learn!

A passion for baseball

Zhu Huan, Beijing, China — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 23:21:03 GMT

hmm. come to think of it, I have seen and heard kids play baseball in the schoolyard behind my grandparents' apartment. they seemed to really enjoy it, and when they noticed me, they asked if I wanted to come down and watch.

I agree with Geri Britt. Baseball, as well as many other sports that are popular here in China (football is not one of those. too violent.) brings people together, even adults. Kids can learn to be a team player while playing sports. That's why its called sportsmanship, isn't it?

A passion for baseball

Chuck — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 23:27:14 GMT

I think Baseball is a great game for China, as is Basketball. Baseball is fun to play! The casual comraderie and having a role on a team are fun. Like other team sports, it teaches many important life lessons. I loved to play baseball as a kid, so did my friends in the neighborhood. It's a great game and I hope the Chinese learn to like it.

A passion for baseball

michale tracy, Harrisburg, OR — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 23:33:38 GMT

I like Mr. Wangs thoughts about the game of baseball and the the possibility of bringing those boys together with their parents! I'm also smiling and remembering farm, little and pony leagues so many years ago. Plus all the family getogethers,picnics,and summer just for fun games with friends. Wow! These boys will be able to create some of those memories too! :-)

A passion for baseball

Mario, Miami, FL — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 23:42:44 GMT

Unlike soccer which the brits brought to the world through imperialism and warfare, baseball just seeped into the lives of Asians and Latin Americans without any push from the United States. It seems American culture moves much like that, contrary to what the "elites" would like us to think.

A passion for baseball

John- Lafayette, Indiana — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 00:00:17 GMT

Really a great thing this man has done. Hopefully, his players and their fans will continue to show respect years after they are settled into the game. A small amount of courtesy there is a million times greater than all of the US. WE may have to learn how to play the sport all over again as there is no courtesy to be had in this country. We are the "new kids on the block"

A passion for baseball

Brian, Andover, MA — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 00:25:55 GMT

People playing baseball or any other sport for that matter shows that no matter were we cme form we are all the same. We like to play fun games and if they develop all the good attributes of a person like team sports have the potential to do then let the games begin...and continue. Sports definitely have the potential to bring out the similarites in all people no matter where they are from and this can only be a good thing for international relations. I would be suprised that Major League Baseball in the US, Japan, Korea are not actively encouraging baseball wherever they can.

A passion for baseball

YellowFever, Irvine, CA — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 00:42:41 GMT

I'm torn, it's great that China is opening up a little but BASEBALL? A boring un athletic sport (except for maybe the pitcher) that calls a game when it sprinkles? What about real sports where the players play and not sit on the bench or stand around in the grass?

A passion for baseball

KDW, AA, MI — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 01:56:18 GMT

"""Come on!!! Baseball in China? What Chinese player playing for an American team can China look up to....NOBODY!.

Basketball is the sport the youth of China are more interested in. They have more players to look up to making lots of money in America and doing great things for the country. There is Yao Ming, Wang Tse Tse (spelling) and more new players to come."""

What are you talking about? Seriously, get real yourself. Also, there is more money in Major League Baseball that goes to players than any other sport. Get with it.

A passion for baseball

daisy wang, guangzhou , guangdong — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 02:13:10 GMT

I think it's evey good for Chinese children to plat baseball,as other kinds of games.
Being in a team and working together bring more fun.

A passion for baseball

Chad B. — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 02:23:02 GMT

It's a great thing that baseball is sowing its influence again in China. And while it's not the most athletic sport, isn't the point of playing it to have fun and work together? It helps to create social ties within a group of people that share a bond. If baseball is to have an influence in China, it must start somewhere. Besides, Chien Ming Wang has paved the way for baseball participation in China by playing in the majors. Chun Wang mentioned "What Chinese player playing for an American team can China look up to....NOBODY!" Aside from getting those facts wrong, what about when the first Japanese player joined the majors. He didn't have a fellow countryman, playing baseball in the majors, to look up to before he decided to play in the majors. And look now, there are more than just a handful of Japanese players dominating the majors, like Ichiro. If baseball is to have a profound influence in any country, it must start somewhere.

A passion for baseball

Kevin Guangzhou China — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 02:31:42 GMT

I dont' know why everyone says baseball is a "new" and " stange" game to China.

The Chinese women were World Champions at Softball, a first cousin of baseball. Where did they learn that? The internet?

To the general public baseball is new but with Korea, Japan and Taiwan playing professionaly, its not that odd to the sporting public.

A passion for baseball

Egulope Obsanjo — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 02:54:55 GMT

I'm all for China finding its way. But baseball??!! That is the last thing China needs on its road to rising to the top and stomping on the testicles of current western counties in power. The Chinese have plenty of culture and sport of their own; often found in their martial arts. The Westerner's "baseball" is a definite step back.

A passion for baseball

Egulope Obsanjo, Sausalito, CA — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 02:56:16 GMT

A passion for baseball

Jeff, Beijing — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 03:26:02 GMT

I live in China. This article should be about basketball, not baseball. I've been in Beijing for 4 years and i have not met a single Chinese person who plays or even likes baseball. However, go to any University or park any day of the week and you'll see hundreds of Chinese young people playing basketball.

A passion for baseball

Ken Arthur, Brownsville, Vermont — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 03:26:37 GMT

What an uplifting anecdote! Reminds me of how baseball USED to be. Bringing kids from diverse backrounds together where they learn a time honored sport while striving to maintain the culture's foundation of respect for one another and one's teachers, coaches, elders, etc. What an opportunity for the West to invest in the youth of China without the strings of commercial gain. Its my opinion that we should offer the Chinese our expertise in baseball on an amateur level and let them decide where they want to go with it. It would be a great diplomatic gesture and maybe, in turn, we can re-learn what baseball is really about before commercialism rears its ugly head in China,also. Make no mistake, baseball will flower in China with or without us. Not a bad idea if we're there when it does.

A passion for baseball

Attila — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 03:36:06 GMT

Chinese built the Great Wall to keep out the Huns, not Mongolians. Huns inhabited the area before them, and they are not the same.

A passion for baseball

Bob lansing kansas — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 03:49:09 GMT

go man go.....at least they have respect for the game...our pros have lost all of theirs.

A passion for baseball

pleasantly puzzled in a strange world — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 03:55:06 GMT

How come there aren't any sports where women and men play on the same team?

A passion for baseball

LeRoy, Kerrville, Texas — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 04:04:16 GMT

GREAT ARTICLE! It really touched my heart and I'm so happy that the chinese kids are really liking this sport that we americans also love to watch and even play! I know because I played it (for fun) until I became disabled and couldn't play anymore. I wish the American people would get together somehow and help DONATE Funds, baseball athletic equipment to help out this kids!! I'm even willing to make a monthly monetary donation to help out Mr. Wang Liqiang and his kids!! Come on AMERICA, let us all get together and help out Mr. Wang!

A passion for baseball

China Expat, Beijing, China — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 04:16:07 GMT

Baseball has thrived in Asia, but exclusively in places with strong ties to the US (Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan). The success in those places bodes well for baseball, but nothing else does. Soccer and Basketball are already king, and with good reason. They are cheap, you can play them anywhere, and the rules are obvious.

Not having Chinese players in baseball isn't that huge an obstacle: Yao Ming made it to the NBA because the sport was popular in China, not the other way around. However the other obstacles make it a tough sell.

www.chinaexpat.com

A passion for baseball

Dan Barnes, Morristown NJ — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 04:54:28 GMT

The average person in China has to work very hard and does not have much money. Most any sport that beings happiness to people in China is a positive thing. Even if China will never be a "real" democracy, at least this is progress towards the "pursuit of happiness".

A passion for baseball

CarlMagnon, Rockcliff, Texas — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 06:24:04 GMT

In undergraduate and graduate school the best male students played college ball and the finest and smartest females loved the game. I hope the Chinese embrace the game and win a World Series. Isn't America Great!

A passion for baseball

Satchuralman, Hyde Park, NY — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 06:53:13 GMT

I love the coach's reasoning and passion for the youth and the game. Just the sheer magnitude of the populace suggests that there could be 10 Babe Ruths, 7 Ted Williams, 12 Hank Aarons,20 Ty Cobbs, 15 Ricky Hendersons, and 200,000 Dooley Womacks in 40 years time. I don't dare suggest there would be another Casey Stengel anywhere ever...

A passion for baseball

Josue J. Cevallos, Mililani, Hawaii — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 07:24:37 GMT

Mr. Wang, You have found your passion and something to aim for against all opposition. Hooray for you and your boys. Keep the dream alive and keep falling forward. In due time chinese baseball will look back on its footprints leading to you and your love of baseball. Very inspirational story.

A passion for baseball

BILL ROBIE,PORT RICHEY,FL — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 07:31:05 GMT

PLAY BALL!!!!!!! TAKE POLITICS AWAY...PEOPLE ARE PEOPLE!!! GREAT ARTICLE...CHINA IS OPENING UP AND THE MASSES ARE REACHING OUT...I NEVER THOUGHT ABOUT IT BUT I GUESS BASEALL IS LIKE LIFE... HOPE WE ALL HIT A HOME RUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A passion for baseball

Mike Fanelli, Millville, Massachusetts — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 10:58:00 GMT

Baseball is a thinking man's game. People who say baseball is boring don't have a clue. This Chinese man understands the team concept and the lessons of baseball. It isn't a stretch to think that the Chinese would be attracted to a thinking man's game. My hat is off to you Mr. Wang.

A passion for baseball

LesleyH Thomaston, GA — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 12:01:07 GMT

Who CARES if the Chinese wanna play baseball? Let's get our eyes back on the IMPORTANT matter of the Tainted and POISONED FOOD they're importing to us! THAT should be the REAL concern!!!!!!!!!

A passion for baseball

Holly Garfield — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 12:39:53 GMT

Baseball is a good way to interact among countries. It's quiet, organized way allows for spirit both within and between teams. The Little League World Series shows baseball's international aspects at it's best. The Middle East seems to forsake both simple pleasures like sports and (almost) anything American, so I can see why it hasn't taken off there.

A passion for baseball

EnglishWillow — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 13:05:26 GMT

Of course, Wang has the right idea, but the wrong sport...he should be promoting cricket, not baseball! All of China's neighbors to the west (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka...) play cricket...and perhaps Cricket Diplomacy is what keeps the cauldron of hostilities beteen India and Pakistan from boiling over. Heretofore, China's relation with most of these countries have been cahracterised only by military co-operation (Pakistan), territorial quabbling (India) or downright indifference (Sri Lanka). Now imagine an Asian ODI (One day international) with China participating...it will add a totally new (and to my mind, salubrious) dimension to relations with China! And of course, everything that can be said about baseball (team sport, 'know your position', co-operation, fighting for goals..) can be said about cricket too!..

A passion for baseball

Benchwarmer, American in UK — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 13:39:18 GMT

just think of the magnificent teams they will be able to field once it catches on over there with 1.6 billion potential players to recruit from! And it will catch on, it is the type of sport that appeals to Asian sensibilities, and currently in China many things western are fashionable amongst the blossoming middle classes. Just look at the Japanese who have transformed it and made it their own unique version of the game. Instead of "socialism with Chinese characteristics" it will be baseball with Chinese characteristics! And if there is money to be made out of it, you can be sure the Chinese will try!

A passion for baseball

anonymous, NY, NY — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 14:28:13 GMT

Thank you, Anonymous, for pointing out Chien-Ming Wang. I think he's the best pitcher the Yankees have this season.
Also, the Yankees just signed two Chinese players - Kai Liu and Zhenwang Zhang and the Mariners Wei Wang and Yu Bingjia.

A passion for baseball

Ruben, Dallas, Texas — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 15:56:10 GMT

Baseball in China? Why not - it's a great idea. Talk about globalization!

A passion for baseball

JOE MASON — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 16:30:32 GMT

ITS BETTER THAN KILLING PEOPLE LIKE WE ARE DOING IN IRAQ. TELL YOU CONGRESS PERSON TO BRING OUR TROOPS HOME NOW.

A passion for baseball

new york, new york — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 16:48:44 GMT

I read this and then saw the first comment of no one to look up to. I mean lots of foreign players in baseball making good money ichiro suzuki for one wangs another, lets no forget dice k. I mean can go on and on.

A passion for baseball

Wendall Salton, then of Crystal Lake, Illinois — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 16:52:25 GMT

In 1995, my-then 14 year old son flew to Beijing from Chicago's O'Hare airport with two teams of 14 to 17
year old young men and their adult coaches and a few
parents, to play in a "Far East Baseball Tournament.
One of the teams, the White Sox, sponsored by you-know-
who won the tournament, while the second team, the
Wisconsin Snappers (a type of turtle) didn't fare as
well, but did get a win against the eventual champion
White Sox. The local Beijing team also did not fare
well, but all-in-all, the Chinese did get to see some
pretty good youth baseball and, hopefully, the Beijing
team learned from the experience. Almost all of the
players traded uniform caps, with my son and a South
Korean player making the trade.

BTW: all of the games were played on very good fields.

A passion for baseball

Rosanna Gutierez — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 17:27:01 GMT

China needs democracy. not baseball. Boycot the Olympics and force them to respect human rights.

A passion for baseball

Advocate of Rationality, Raleigh, NC — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 17:42:23 GMT

Who cares about baseball or posion food in China. We should all be scared of the posion food in the Good Ol USA (e coli in spinach anyone?) and the USA baseball players that can only get by by using steriods. Using the previous xenophobic posters' logic we should ban all food produced in the USA and exile all steriod users to China.

A passion for baseball

Rob — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 19:44:31 GMT

Baseball is a great game and America's ambassador to the world. Like when we occupied Japan, the far east and the caribbean we should be teaching the Iraqis baseball. That would bring them together better than any political solution.

A passion for baseball

Mac Fortin — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 20:15:11 GMT

I've got a sport for China to try: Democracy.

A passion for baseball

Lois Winters — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 20:36:49 GMT

baseball is a perfect sport for the Chinese. They are
big on sports and that is factual. this game I learned
what it was all about at age 4, and 50 years later I
am still learning something. it is like a game of chess and only those who understand that know what I mean.

A passion for baseball

M Harrison — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 21:04:10 GMT

RE: It's great to see a world power like China catching the sports fever we have here. Sports like baseball keep us entertained and peacefull. If only the Middle Eastern countries would catch the fever.

They do have the fever, they just participate in their own way. Where we throw the baseball, they like throwing grenades. Where we box, they enjoy beating captives. Where we duck-hunt from a blind, they enjoy hunting with I.E.D.'s. It's great that we all share the same values, tho, despite those quirky regional differences.

A passion for baseball

James K. Sacramento, CA — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 21:12:54 GMT

If baseball takes off in China, 10 years from no or sooner, there will be the Yao Ming of baseball coming to a USA ball park near you. I say hooray for the man who brought joy into the young hearts, Boo to all the naysayers.

A passion for baseball

John Doe — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 21:20:42 GMT

It will never be successful on a USA scale. If baseball was introduced here today, it wouldn't make it. It's too slow. That's why football has kicked it's ass in popularity. It only works here because of tradition and who knows how long that will sustain it. Basketball is much more likely to prosper.

A passion for baseball

Sick of it, Brighton, Mich. — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 21:39:55 GMT

Well go China! But as usual another thing the Chinese will invade of ours. It's it enough that they invade our country. Now their going to take over our favorite pass time. I think as Americans we've givin all these foreigers more than enough.

A passion for baseball

AJ Fernandez, Fresno, Ca — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 21:40:23 GMT

Holly Garfield hit it right. The Little League World Series games are the best baseball has to offer. Those kids exhibit the heart and soul of baseball - no jaded, tainted adult outlook. When I grew up as a farm kid in California, there weren't many acceptable sports activities for girls (our community was really into restriction), but softball was okay even at church. I joined a girls softball team and played backlot baseball with the boys any chance I got. My sons, though, are not interested in baseball like that, but given the chance, any kid can develop that passion for the game my friends & I had. I can just imagine Chinese kids in the Little League games. Those kids, out on the field, immediately speak the same language and are working toward the same thoroughly understandable goal. We all understand congratulating the other team after the game; win or lose. People who freak out about poisoned food and accuse all Chinese of social crimes, when these may be corporate actions or the low dealings of a few, are predjuciced and don't get the point.

A passion for baseball

CHILDRENS SPORTS FAN — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 21:53:39 GMT

GO WANG GO!!!!

A passion for baseball

john Harrison new jersey — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 22:18:42 GMT

i think its nice.

A passion for baseball

Kurt, Pittsburgh, PA — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 22:26:46 GMT

EnglishWillow,
Your point about international relations makes a better argument for baseball than cricket. China's relations with Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan are a much bigger issue than it's relations with South Asia.

Anyway, soccer and basketball seem to be the clearly dominant international sports. Cricket has a large following but it is basically only in places that were directly colonized by the British. Other sports have been more successful at spreading on their own merits.

But I'm all for more baseball in China- as long as it results in a lot more Red Sox fans:)

A passion for baseball

Keith Laney, Woodstock, GA — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 22:44:25 GMT

These are the type of stories from China that I like to hear. Mr. Wang has the right idea about promoting baseball in his country. All I can do is wish him the best in his work.

A passion for baseball

canrun — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 00:16:35 GMT

As a long-time teacher in China, I can say that not one student has-ever-been able to explain baseball to me or shown any interest at all. It's truly an uphill battle. Kobe and Yao reign supreme here, it seems...

A passion for baseball

Jay in cleburne texas — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 01:37:43 GMT

To All of the people huffing and puffing about the tainted food coming from China instead of the topic at hand... "Is this not a sports page? Meaning the topics discussed here are sports related." Maybe you should stick to the continually depressing 7:00 o'clock news and leave this to the professionals.

A passion for baseball

Houston, Texas — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 01:55:32 GMT

Good for them (China). In fact, maybe it'll wake up some of the so-called all-stars in the USA. And not just talking about the professionals either.

A passion for baseball

Anthony, Berkeley, California — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 02:38:26 GMT

Japan's home run king, Sadaharu Oh, is Chinese on his father's side. It's a little like Ted Williams being Mexican on his mother's side; no one knows it.

A passion for baseball

China Law Blog — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 03:22:37 GMT

Great post. I am a lifelong baseball fan yet I had never thought of the game in this light until now.

A passion for baseball

Wes Maughan, Chadds Ford, PA — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 03:44:47 GMT

Mr. Wang is my kind of guy. We need to focus on our common stregths ... not our differences.

Someone further up the page mentioned the Chinese food imports issue. Fact is ... all the cases of eccoli outbreaks have been the result of failures by US growers and distributers in the San Joaquin and Sacramento Valleys (California ... which grows 2/3rds of the fruit and vegetables consumed by the World!!) ... not China ... despite the headlines.

A passion for baseball

xiaolong yang — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 03:52:18 GMT

Actually, more than 10 years ago, there were several guys in my college which is in Shanghai played baseball , it is interesting game, I can enjoy it. However, I guess it could be very hard to populize this game in China since it takes too much space as well as money to play.

A passion for baseball

Rev. Dewey Leon Everts Jr.,c.m. — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 04:19:50 GMT

Take me out to the ball game take me out with the crowd, buy be some peanuts and cracker jack, I don't care if hever get back and it's root root root for the home team and if they don't win it's a shame, for it's one, two, three strikes you're out at the old ball game. Go CHINA go. Baseball is one of the few games in the US of A that has kept its honesty.

A passion for baseball

Rev. Dewey Leon Everts Jr.,c.m. — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 04:30:15 GMT

A passion for baseball

Jerry Foley, Busan, Korea — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 05:11:50 GMT

Well yes, it is a great idea to play in team sport to help develop certain skills and camarderie. However calling it America'a pastime, well I have to disagree, because I come from the USA and this is one bame which I could care less about.

A passion for baseball

edo danielsan south portland maine — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 05:46:13 GMT

who had chosen who and done what?
your para makes no sense and baseball is still boring without beer. ask homer: )

A passion for baseball

Paul, Washington, DC — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 05:46:39 GMT

This is great and should not be attacked. China is a huge country with more news than you can ever read in a day and the tale of this article isn't about poisoned food by Chinese industries or how basket ball is more interesting, it's about the kids who find strength in their lives though baseball and Wang's passion to make his country better . Kids who grow up with the right influence in China will do the right things later in life, unlike the children of the Cultral Revolution who are now taking short cuts and are prone to corruption, causing things like the food problems we have now and the mining slavery news we've heard recently.

A passion for baseball

GATA, Tifton, GA — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 06:38:08 GMT

One day, the "Series" will be. GATA Tifton, Ga

A passion for baseball

Roy Chu, Los Angeles CA — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 06:58:08 GMT

Any type of sport is important to China. After the Cultural Revolution, many essential courtesies were lost--sports are definitely an effective way of re-instilling many significant values. It isn't a matter of which sports are the most lucrative--the collective efforts of wushu (martial arts), basketball, baseball, football (soccer), etc are all desparately needed to restore what was lost in the 60s and 70s.

A passion for baseball

Keith Mayfield, San Diego CA — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 07:13:46 GMT

Who do I live with in this country? This article should be about basketball in China; it should be about tainted food; etc. People this article is about a man and his efforts to do what he thinks will make the future of his country better. It's not about what is the most popular american sport in china or our current trade atmosphere with china. It's called a human interest story that involves america's past-time. If you want to read about other topics then go read about them. Get an education then come back an post something with substance.

A passion for baseball

Nick Cleary, Moscow, Russia — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 07:56:56 GMT

GO! Bill Robie, I totally agree. This is a story of a man who has passion about a game and if he is helping kids with it great. It is good to see stories like this. It makes a change from all the other stories of destruction and chaos in the world. Leave politics and money out of it. I feel very sorry for people like LesleyH Thomaston, GET A LIFE!!

A passion for baseball

Nin Csen Nuni, Seattle, WA — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 10:12:06 GMT

Just consider how many chinese could afford a hokey outfit, here jus one glove or in their national-sport just one ping-pong paddle and they are in busoness. :-))
These are even cheaper than buying a running shoe of quality. :-)

A passion for baseball

garnelson Guangzhou China — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 10:13:26 GMT

After teaching here in china for almost two years I have come to realize, China needs Baseball! I‘ve thoughts of getting a bamboo stick, a tennis ball and 5 gallon pail covers (for bases) together and see if I could get a game going… See Chinese youth needs to get united, to work together as a team, to be part of something. Well this guy has it figured out! Baseball, in a few years China will dominate the game!

A passion for baseball

Blah — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 10:43:03 GMT

Oh yea... This will resolve the long time political differences and deficit issues...

A passion for baseball

Dood, somewhere in China — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 13:59:45 GMT

Was the author even present at the site?
If so, she would have known that Jinan is not a "small coastal city."
Jinan has almost SIX MILLION PEOPLE, which is huge even by Chinese standards, and is NOT on the coast.

A passion for baseball

bOB TULETT, AMHERST, NY — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 14:25:09 GMT

jUSTABOUT ANY TEAMSPORT IS GOOD FOR YOUNG MALES AND FEMALES, HELPING THEM TO MAKE CLOSE RELATIONSHIPS THEY WOULD HAVE MADE WITHOUT THIS TYPE OF OPPURTUNITY.
bASEBALL IS AS GOOD AN OUTLET AS BASKETBALL (EVEN BOWLING OR GOLF). AS LONG AS IT BRINGS PEOPLE TOGETHER WHO ENJOY THE SAME THINGS AND INCLUDES A LITTLE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY.

PLAY ON

A passion for baseball

H. S. Plouse — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 15:59:35 GMT

I personally think baseball is a total bore, but I find it interesting that baseball took hold in America just when it was hitting its stride on the road to national greatness. Now, as we increasingly abandon the ethos and habits which created that rise, baseball is falling out of favor here at home, in favor of flashier sports. In the meantime, the Japanese, post-WWII, also adopted baseball with a passion, again coincident with their rise to economic power and influence. That embracing of baseball is seemingly also about to start in China, again, just as it begins to rediscover and reacquire its latent greatness. Indeed, if one is willing to accept the similarities between baseball and cricket, then one might extend the argument back a few hundred years more, since that was the game which defined Britain during her rise to global preeminence.

It really does make one wonder if there is not something in baseball which appeals to the best in a people and maybe Mr. Wang has seen it. If so, then I can only wish him the best of luck.

A passion for baseball

Mike Lehman Oshkosh, Wi — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 16:35:50 GMT

I'm a 36yr old who loves the game. Althought i haven't played much in recent years. I still love the game, the smell of the food and roars of the crowds either live or on t.v. I hope China soaks up the fun and the love of the game. There's always a new up and coming star somewhere in the world and to see kids in China love the sport and bring in new athletes and keeping them off the loser streets would be most impressive.. M.L. Wisconsin (Playball)

A passion for baseball

J. Kearns, Jersey City, N.J. — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 16:44:25 GMT

Why not. If we can play Chinese checkers why can't they play baseball?

A passion for baseball

Randy Strode, Plymouth, Minnesota — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 16:45:22 GMT

Thanks for the article! In 1989-90 I taught English at Shandong Institute of Economics in Jinan, China. I also taught them how to play baseball. We used bricks for bases and equipment I picked up in Hong Kong. When the P.E. instructor saw I was serious about coaching them she got excited. One day she joyful brought over a large old dusty box filled with baseball mitts. They looked like they were from the 40's - and they probably were. She said that China use to play baseball in schools before 1949. Evidently it was a popular sport. It was probably introduced by missionaries or businessmen over 100 years ago. It is exciting today to see the Chinese pickup the sport on there own. In another decade or so you'll see more Chinese playing a beloved team sport.

A passion for baseball

Terry Eubanks, Gadsden, Al — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 16:54:48 GMT

Chun Wang...Baseball could be like Basketball in China in a few years as the sport grows. I personally think sports breaks down barriers. More the better.

A passion for baseball

John F. Moynihan, Festus, Missouri — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 17:13:18 GMT

As a life-long baseball fan, I welcome anyone into the family. I hardly consider this a political issue and encourage those who look at it as such to reconsider. Baseball is a fine game. This article points out many of it's benefits. I hope to see a world league before my time is up.

A passion for baseball

Berettaman — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 17:21:26 GMT

The subject is sports, not stupid politics, so focus on it and keep your bitter crap to yourselves.

A passion for baseball

Brian, Fort Collins, Colorado — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 17:22:10 GMT

What a beautiful story. Baseball is what makes the world go round man. Baseball is life. I truly believe in 10 to 20 years MLB will be global and we will be having a true world series.

A passion for baseball

Christina Wood — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 17:33:29 GMT

I think baseball is already popular in parts of China. We were in China in 1995 during August and the National League finals were on television nearly every day. It was the only thing we could watch that we understood because there were no English subtitles. Even in Mandarin we could understand the scores that were printed on the screen. Baseball is better as a whole family sport because women, girls, men and boys can all play together and have fun. In our hometown in Oregon there are softball teams that play most of the spring and summer in which husbands, wives and older children often play on the same teams. You don't need a court or hugh playing field (football or soccer). I've seen kids playing with newspaper bases, a stick and a crumpled up tin can for a ball. It would be nice if some of our major league teams offered to sponser teams in China with their used bats, gloves and balls for a while. The more the Chinese people learn about how we really live and what we are like, the better. We adoped two little girls in China and people on the streets acually asked us if it was true we adopted them to take them back to use as a source for organ donations to our biological children back home. Since we had no biologic children it was easy to assure them that no one would think of such a horrible idea. Our oldest daughter was eight by the time we went back to adopt the youngest girl, and she was living proof to them that we loved and cared for our children and she was happy in America.

A passion for baseball

john florida — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 17:35:20 GMT

BASEBALL,FOOTBALL HOCKEY WHATEVER !! I say good all these sports have nothing to do with the government they are all about the people. Why should they not have as much fun as we do, they are no better or worse than we are. let them go for it and enjoy. the west is creeping in and sports is better than politics. i hope they get good enough to chalange our own teems. that would be a great way to expose them to us and us to them.the only politics here would be if the leaders tried to put a stop to it , and how would you feel then. HEY CHINA GO FOT IT AND ENJOY IT AS MUCH AS US.

A passion for baseball

Jim Erwin, Philadelphia,PA — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 18:19:09 GMT

As someone who was always involved in sports; football,baseball,basketball. I can't imagine growing up without team sports. Being part of a team and accomplishing things you could have never done on your own is truly one of life's great experiences.

Have fun boys, baseball gives you memories for a lifetime

A passion for baseball

Alex USA — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 19:16:39 GMT

Great to see baseball, along with other sports, flourishing...I'd rather see countries playing baseball and competing at a sports level than making bombs and creating war...I don't want to sound like a tree hugger, but good competition reduces the risk of the alternative...

A passion for baseball

Lee Snyder, Miami, FL — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 19:44:53 GMT

I think it is positive to have team sports, but once again, the girls are left out of the process. As a former teacher in China, girls were literally shoved aside by the "Little Emperors"... wish there was similar attitude for the young girls other than submission.

A passion for baseball

Kyle Buehne, Las Vegas, NV — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 20:07:07 GMT

I'm a huge baseball fan myself and I support that it is being played world wide but I don't think that it is going to be some sort of savior to get the Chinese youth to straiten up. That's like saying that a card game will save the world. It just doesn't happen.

A passion for baseball

shirley,Gilroy CA — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 21:42:33 GMT

Yea so to all you ignorant idiots who bash the chinese, just get a life and stop envying them. Seems like you think americans are so superior and Chinese are just some poor stepsister..well I got news for you China is on the rise, and the chinese in the US are prospering,if you don't like it then go learn to do Math, and learn to rely on China less.BTW this isn't directed towards anyone specifiaclly;I just read some comments about the chinese that I didn't feel were very Justified...

A passion for baseball

dj of raleigh — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 22:26:25 GMT

Baseball fields are called PARKS, a beautiful mix of green grass, wide open sky, bright lights, rich dirt paths, white lines expanding forever from HOME plate where the batters take turns trying to hit the ball and get back home again by running, sliding, and threatening to 'steal' bases, all without touching one another. It's beautiful for the player and fan alike. But what will be the Chinese touch? What will replace the hot dog and bag of nuts? Will the players chew tobacco? When will trading cards come out? Do the Chinese chew gum?

A passion for baseball

Joe Lamoureux, Plymouth, MA — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 22:30:40 GMT

Great move for all the single children family. A fantastic team sport where each team probably has 15+ players for these only children to grow and interact with. PLAY BALL!!!!

A passion for baseball

Daniel, Glendora, CA — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 22:36:17 GMT

Baseball will eventually become known well in China.
In fact it has a much better chance than football.
Whowever said baseball is only popular because of tradition is way off base (and can only assume he was a Raiders fan). If you've ever been to any Little Leagues throughout the country you will see that there are legions of children playing the sport, of all ethnicities and backgrounds. If football is so popular abroad why is the NFL branch pulling out of Europe? Even in a continent that has rugby, American football never took off, and you can damn as hell bet the Chinese do not shall we say appreciate American football. Baseball is a real man's game, not only is it tough but it takes mental as well as physical prowess to succeed and as a team. Shoulder padded 500lb football players are a joke. have a nice life with your arthritic bones in middle age. football is not life, if you don't realize that then you have no life.

A passion for baseball

strongheartshadow — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 00:00:16 GMT

I really like the idea of kids in China, learning baseball is great! But one post farther back made me stop and think:
The average person in China has to work very hard and does not have much money.

Why is that? Everywhere you look there are products "made in China", if poor people are not getting the money.. who is??

A passion for baseball

strongheartshadow — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 00:00:19 GMT

A passion for baseball

strongheartshadow — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 00:00:20 GMT

A passion for baseball

Chris Anderson, New Mexico — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 00:59:56 GMT

Hey, the number one sport in China, as in most of the WORLD is football, or rather SOCCER!!! And this is a sport that will keep more kids healthy and physically active because it takes more skill and athletic ability to play than baseball does. And believe me I know because I've played both sports, and soccer is way more challenging, but can be played by anyone because you don't have to be big or tall to plat it.

A passion for baseball

Al Sosa, Northampton, Pa. — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 01:38:31 GMT

If they can play ping-pong, they can play baseball. Remember the Nixon years? Any sport is good for a nation that probably has limited freedom(s).

A passion for baseball

Carrie, Granbury, Texas — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 03:25:59 GMT

I understand that some of us think poisoned food is more important than the Chinese playing baseball. I also agree with the fact that this message board was about baseball, not politics. I also understand that some think baseball is a boring sport. However, if the naysayers will re-read the original story, they will see that Mr. Wang is looking to popularize a "peaceful sport". This will open a door for China that many believed would never happen. I think this is a terrific sport to become China's past-time. They are not necessarily "stealing" our past-time. They may like the ideas we possess and we should take it as a compliment. Maybe it would induce a warmer, kinder country. Maybe they would enjoy having more than one child, eventually. But we all have to start somewhere, right? With some patience and a little time, baseball may help change their culture. After all, Rome wasn't built in a day.

A passion for baseball

Ed Wayner, Friendswood, Texas — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 03:41:56 GMT

Hey Bug Selig, how about some seed money to help develop China into baseball fans. Just as the NFL is trying to go after Europe and Latin America, Baseball has a history in Asia and should try to develop it in China.

A passion for baseball

John Doe — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 05:42:02 GMT

How come there aren't any sports where women and men play on the same team?
How about Marriage ? Nuk Nuk Nuk

A passion for baseball

Nanson Hwa, Chula Vista, California — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 05:51:27 GMT

The purpose of sports in China is to develop and maintain the physical health of the youth, increase the national self confidence of the Chinese people and promote friendship by engaging in international sporting activities and to instill national pride and recognition.

A passion for baseball

Bri, Washington DC — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 05:56:13 GMT

"Well go China! But as usual another thing the Chinese will invade of ours. It's it enough that they invade our country. Now their going to take over our favorite pass time. I think as Americans we've givin all these foreigers more than enough."

Are you serious? It's time to wake up from your isolationist fantasies. Cultural exchanges are what make life interesting, and I can promise you, your world would be a very different place without them. So kids in China are starting to enjoy baseball - where's the harm in that? Why is it wrong for us to export one of the best and most unifying aspects of our culture in a time when so many people in the world see us simply as an overbearing hegemonic power with whom they have nothing in common? I am fully aware of how lucky I am to have been born in the US and I love the life that allows me to lead, but, at the same time, do you honestly think that every person in the world is clamoring to become Americanized? Just a hint - everyone didn't stand up and cheer when a Starbucks opened in the Forbidden City.

And another thing, why don't you do a little research and find out for yourself all that the Chinese people have given us? America would not be the country it is today without contributions made by "all these foreigners" and the lessons we have learned from both the triumphs and mistakes of other nations. Our country exists because of the "invasion", as you so callously put it, of immigrants, and to call yourself an "American" means accepting that we are all privileged to be a product of this varied and multicultural history.

A passion for baseball

Susan Scanlan, Douglassville, PA — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 06:12:10 GMT

Good for him! I love hearing about little kids getting together to play like that. His philosophy is spot on and who cares if these kids ever go pro?! They had some fun as children, met some maybe life-long friends and learned something new. Not bad at all, in my opinion.

A passion for baseball

S Miller Newport Beach CA — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 08:13:14 GMT

Anyone that has ever grown up playing baseball(or softball) knows about the magic that happens when each person has the ability to shine while working for a common goal. Bringing the soul of people together is what baseball is about and China could truly benefit from the connection-and fun.

A passion for baseball

Billy B Bucksport , ME — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 09:33:45 GMT

I hope that China or any other non sports country gets teh same fever for sports that exists here in America. A ffew yeaars back I participated ina Veterans Day parade in Denver, CO tehr were maybe 300 to 400 watchers along the way, with more than that many participating in teh parade..When the denver Donkeys won teh super bowl, 100's of thougsands of idiotic fans lined the way to welcome what they thought were ther true heroes! If I sound bitter, as a Vet, yes I am..take your sports and shove it.

A passion for baseball

Joseph Meissner, Cleveland, Ohio — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 10:41:10 GMT

This is a really nice up-beat story for a world that is filled with too many bad stories. Baseball like other spots i one way to bring the human family closer together. We Americans should find more ways of encouraging such achievements while at the same time we learn the sports of others, even if that means liking soccer. Seriously, thanks for this story!

A passion for baseball

Steve Baseball, siler city. north carolina — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 13:26:30 GMT

If it were not for the cultural revolution in China the country would have a lot more athletes. You also have the Government working against them. I am a coach for a 10 and under baseball team. I love seeing the kids play. I have coached kids who may go pro and it is a great feeling to know that you have influenced that player wether it be spiritualy or professionally.. I teach my kids that even though you are the best player on the field, you still need to be the best player of life of the field.

A passion for baseball

Chris Gallegos — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 16:34:49 GMT

Are you people serious? Sports like baseball keep us peaceful?!?! The Mideast should catch the fever? I won't even get into the difference in politics, but how does baseball keep us peaceful? Parents fighting each other over their son's game time... Baseball has more bench clearing fights than ALL other sports combined. I have heard hockey is too violent, but if people weren't so hung up on "Everything we do is great because we're American", they would see that sports do very little to support peace. A basketball player can choke his coach and keep his job. Tell me what other "peaceful" career you can have that allows you to choke your boss and still find work within that corporation or conglomerate. None. While I believe that anything to keep kids from making bad choices is a good thing, I wonder how many "Americans" will still think this is so great when their teams are dominated by players whose names they can't pronounce. Look at how many rednecks are in an uproar over Toyota vehicles in NASCAR. I think it's hilarious
Everyone is looking at expansion into China and the increased source of business or as a way to Americanize the Chinese, but what they are finding out is that it is a two-way street and the Chinese are here to play ball. In many things, they are going to outshine us and we have gladly embraced it due to our ignorance and vanity. I ask you, if it's so great the Chinese learn our national pastime, what are we learning from the Chinese? Don't be fooled into thinking that China feels everything about the US is so great they want to mimic us.