China's national baseball team is in the United States learning
the finer points of the game from Major League representatives as
part of their preparation for the Beijing Olympics, officials said
on Tuesday.
A Chinese delegation of 37 players, coaches and officials is
training at Scottsdale (Arizona) Community College under the
guidance of manager Jim Lefebvre, a former major leaguer.
China will enter the Olympic baseball competition for the first
time next year when it hosts the Games.
China's national team will play five spring training games
against minor league teams. Major League baseball has also arranged
for China's players to spend time with nine Major League
organizations in either Arizona or Florida.
"China's participation as host of the 2008 Olympic Games is an
enormous opportunity to increase the visibility of baseball in
China," MLB Commissioner Bud Selig said in a statement.
"We hope that Major League baseball's assistance in training the
China national team will help China compete well at the Olympics
and beyond."
Lefebvre, a former big-league player and manager, has been
supplied by Major League baseball to pilot China's national team
program since 2003. He is joined by pitching coach Bruce Hurst, a
former major leaguer.
(China Daily via Agencies March 15, 2007)