On June 28, the "Baton Pass Together" Cross-Straits Baseball Exchange Tournament officially kicked off in Pingtan, the closest place on the mainland to the island of Taiwan. This four-day event brings together over 70 players from both sides of the Taiwan Straits, fostering friendly competition and cultural exchange, and igniting a summer baseball fever.

At around 1 p.m. in Pingtan Baseball Stadium, the umpire's call set the game in motion. Players from the Fujian Sea Sharks and Taiwan's Tai Shou Dragons sprang into action, showcasing their skills with swift swings, speedy runs, and powerful hits. Every impressive play electrified the crowd, adding to the excitement.

Chen Minci, 35, from Taitung, Taiwan has been playing baseball for 28 years. Although he has competed in the mainland numerous times, this is his first visit to Pingtan. "It's fantastic. Baseball is a great way to promote cross-Straits communication," said Chen.

"The baseball field in Pingtan is exceptional, and we've seen remarkable progress in pitching and hitting among the teams," noted Cheng Dahong, head coach of the Tai Shou Dragons. "We look forward to frequent exchanges, allowing players from both sides to grow together through competition."

Zeng Huawei, head coach of the Fujian Sea Sharks, shared his thoughts on the new Fujian-Taiwan United Team, formed on April 22 with players from Taiwan and Fujian. "Competing with a top team like the Shouba Dragons is very encouraging for our new team. It provides valuable experience for our young players, especially in learning to stay calm in scoring positions and developing effective strategies," said Zeng.

The "Baton Pass Together" initiative, launched by CTBC Bank, focuses on promoting adult baseball and enhancing cross-Straits interaction through the sport. This exchange tournament marks the first event under this initiative.

"The tournament runs from June 23 to June 30, with stops in Shanghai, Wuxi, and Pingtan," said Zhang Zhi, team leader of the Tai Shou Dragons. "The teams in Pingtan are quite strong, with some even having coaches from Taiwan. This blend of cross-Straits playing styles is very promising. We hope to further promote the development of baseball on both sides of the Straits and use baseball as a bridge to increase exchanges and mutual understanding."