Dongsheng to host international youth baseball tournament

A Chinese U12 baseball player reacts during the Panda Cup, which is held in November in Zhongshan, South China's Guangdong province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

An international youth baseball tournament featuring teams from eight countries and regions is scheduled to take place in Zhongshan, Guangdong province, between Dec 7-13.

The 9th Asian U12 Baseball Championship, held every two years, is the Baseball Federation of Asia's flagship event.

Eight teams from the Chinese mainland, Japan, South Korea, Mongolia, India, Pakistan, Taiwan and Hong Kong will compete in this year's championship, which will be held in Dongsheng township, known as China's home of baseball.

Dongsheng is the birthplace of Liang Fuchu, who was integral in bringing baseball to China. His son, Liang Youwen, returned to his hometown in 2007 to coach a local youth baseball team.

The township has developed 20 teams in its primary schools, with more than 500 young players involved in the rising sport, according to the local authority.

A 2,000-capacity international youth baseball stadium has also recently been constructed in Dongsheng and six Dongsheng-born players were selected for the Chinese national U12 team.