Lan Youzhe, from Changhua youth baseball team, makes it safely on base. [Photo/Xinhua]

Baseball-themed activities were held on the sidelines of games with the hope of promoting solidarity for cross-Straits youth.

Liancheng has previously hosted baseball exchange events to connect the cross-Straits community; in 2015, as part of the seventh Straits Forum, a cross-Straits baseball fiesta was held in the county, with teachers and students from Changhua, Xiamen, and Liancheng in attendance. An antique plaque exhibition was held to showcase the culture of Hakka people who populates both in Fujian and Taiwan.

Baseball has been growing fast in popularity across Liancheng, especially among young people and there are currently 23 baseball teams involving around 500 players in the county. Primary and middle school students can opt to play the sport as their chosen physical education course and compete in league matches.