New York Yankees to help China's youth baseball league

New York Yankees to help China's youth baseball league

A Chinese journalist (C) watches the trophy exhibited during the press preview of the New York Yankees World Series Championship Trophy China Tour in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 3, 2010.

BEIJING, Feb. 3 -- Bringing their 2009 World Series championship trophy, the New York Yankees came to help China develop baseball youth program here on Wednesday.

It's the first time the World Series trophy, which is symbolic of team excellence in Major League Baseball, came to China.

Yankees, who clinched their 27th World Series championship last November, beat the defending champion Philadelphia Phillies 7-3 in Game 6 in the World Series.

The Yankees created a partnership with the CBA on January 29, 2007, when the pair drafted a Memorandum of Understanding that formalized the CBA' s first strategic alliance with a Major League Baseball club.

Randy Levine, Yankees' president, said in the press conference held in the Kunlun Hotel: "We are happy to help China to develop the sport among school students."

As a plan, the Yankees will visit China every August after their regular season since this year, watching the China's Youth Baseball League (CYBL) matches and giving lessons to the young players.

A journalist (R) makes a live reportage beside the trophy exhibited during the press preview of the New York Yankees World Series Championship Trophy China Tour in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 3, 2010.

Yankees started the trophy tour in Asia on Jan. 31, visiting Japan, China and Hong Kong, China. The tour is organized by QSL Sports Limited, which has been active in the promotion of baseball in China and operates the CYBL together with the CBA.

Mr. Kenny Huang Jian Hua, chairman of QSL, revealed a plan to boost a 1,000-team youth league in China.

"In 2009, we have more than 300 teams in the CYBL. I hope with the help of the Yankees, the CYBL will become a 1,000-team baseball league," Huang said.

The trophy will make its Hong Kong debut on February 5 at New World Development's recently-opened K11 mall at 18 Hanoi Road TST.
(Xinhua)