The CPBL will not try to hold players back if they are talented enough to pursue their careers in Japan or even the Major League.
However, we sincerely hope that these talented players can commit themselves to the local baseball environment before heading abroad.
For this reason, the CPBL will seek the opportunity to sign with the player a contract agreement for foreign leagues.
TT: Do you expect basketball to challenge baseball as the No. 1 game in Taiwan over the next 10 years?
Lee: Baseball is the number one sport in Taiwan. We are doing our best to make the sport even more popular and are building a successful business model.
We sincerely hope that more resources and attention can be given to other sports as well. Only with the success of other sports can we see an energized society being built.
TT: Does Taiwan stand a good/fair/no chance of winning the gold medal in baseball at the Beijing Olympics in 2008?
Lee: There are still a few years before the Beijing Olympics opens. Now the main goal for us is to clinch the first two spots in the Asian Championship this coming November, as this is the qualifying round for the Athens Olympics [in 2004].
What makes baseball so interesting and charming is that it is a game full of opportunity. We believe that team Chinese Taipei will have a good shot of winning the gold medal.
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