"Although China's baseball is still in its infancy, I am looking forward to a marvellous season this year," said Kazuo Hasegawai, NPB secretary-general.

The Chinese officials see the development of the league as a way to increase the competitiveness of China's national team at the Beijing Olympic Games next year. As hosts, the team will participate in their first ever Olympics.

Chinese authorities have also signed cooperation deals with Major League Baseball (MLB) and the New York Yankees to help train the national team. They also hired two former MLB All-Stars, Jim Lefebvre and Bruce Hurst, as the team's manager and pitching coach.

However, a clash between the league and Olympic preparation seems to be unavoidable as the CBA has decided to cut the league short this year so that the national team can train together as long as possible.

"We have to cut the league to three months," said Shen Wei, CBA secretary-general. Normally the league lasts more than five months.

But the Chinese side wants more than Olympic success.

"Apart from the Olympics, we hope more people will play baseball in China," said Lei Jun, the newly-appointed chief of the sport.

"We need baseball stars and Chinese baseball needs to go international.

"But now we have to take care of it like a little baby."

【棒球联盟得到日本的帮助 Baseball league gets Japanese help】相关文章：

★ 娱乐英语资讯：Lindsay Lohan checks out of rehab: report

★ 娱乐英语资讯：Jackie Chan,Zhang Ziyi to sing for Olympic film

★ 娱乐英语资讯：Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducts Madonna,Cohen

★ 娱乐英语资讯：Beach Bunny: At LA Fashion Week Spring 2008

★ 娱乐英语资讯：Lindsay Lohan From Superheroes To Alice In Wonderland

★ Zheng to return to Shandong for East Asian tournament

★ 娱乐英语资讯：Angelina Jolie voted worlds No.1 yummiest mummies

★ 体坛英语资讯：France s shown capability of hosting safe event through Euro 2016: Bach

★ [娱乐时尚] 10位大腕的至理名言

★ 娱乐资讯：Criss Angel explains Diaz dedication