An invitational softball tournament was wrapped up in Pingtan, Fujian province on Jan 4.

Nine teams from Pingtan and Taiwan participated in the two-day tournament, which was held for the second consecutive time in Pingtan to increase sports communication.

Taipei Lehuo players pose for a photo after winning the 2nd Cross-Straits Softball Tournament in Pingtan, Fujian province, Jan 4. [Photo/pingtan.gov.cn]

Taipei Lehuo defeated Changhua Dadu Creek 8-4 in the final to win the tournament.

“Softball is a team sport. And my players just showed it out there today. They are all great,” said Lin Dengqiu, Lehuo’s head coach.

The tournament is expected to promote softball, which is arguably Taiwan’s most popular sport, in Pingtan, which is designated as the first and only experimental area on the Chinese mainland open to Taiwan.

The Pingtan Softball Association aligned itself with the visiting Taiwanese softball teams prior to the tournament in a bid to strengthen its softball prowess.

Pingtan has made progress in softball, which boasts a bright future, according to Liang Qinlong, an official with Pingtan’s administrative committee.

“People of all ages and from all walks of life can play softball. It is good for the national fitness program,” he said.