Twelve CPBL players chosen to represent the nation

Twelve Chinese Professional Baseball League players made the 24-man roster for Taiwan's national squad that is set to compete in this summer's 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece. The announcement was made at a press conference in Taipei, yesterday.

The fortunate dozen that have earned the right to represent their country in a chance-of-a-lifetime opportunity are pitchers Pan Wei-luen (潘威倫) [Lions], Lin Ying-jeh (林英傑) [Cobras], Yang Jien-fu (陽建福) [Bulls], catcher Yeh Jung-chang (葉君璋)[Bulls], infielders Huang Chung-yi (黃忠義) [Bulls], Cheng Jau-hang (鄭兆行) [Bulls], Chang Tai-shan (張泰山) [Bulls], Cheng Chang-ming (鄭昌明)[Whales], Tsai Fong-an (蔡豐安) [Elephants], Hsieh Jia-shien (謝佳賢) [Cobras], and outfielders Peng Cheng-ming (彭政閔) [Elephants] and Chen Chih-yuan (陳致遠) [Elephants].

Whales skipper Hsu Sheng-ming (徐生明), who will double as the manager of the national team, will lead this All-Star cast with the help of several upcoming amateurs and a handful of Taiwanese-born players that are playing professionally abroad.

The Bulls have the highest number of players on the national team with five. The Elephants will send three, followed by the Cobras with two and one each for the Lions and the Whales.

Except for first base, the infield for the national team is essentially the Bulls' infield of second baseman Huang Chung-yi, shortstop ChengJau-hang, and third baseman Chang Tai-shan.

Elephants outfielders Peng Cheng-ming and Chen Chih-yuan will occupy two of the three outfield spots.

Wrap Up

The Cobras came up empty in Games 1 and 2 of their four-game series against the Lions earlier this week.

Tuesday's series opener in Hsinchuang had the serpents leading the big cats 3-2 heading into the top of the ninth, before the visiting Lions took advantage of a throwing error by third baseman Chen Bo-hsun (陳柏勳) to the home plate that allowed the tying run to score from third.

The Lions then went ahead 4-3 on a wild pitch by Cobras lefty Lin Ying-jeh that scored the runner from third.

The five Cobra errors matched their season high and wasted a quality start by Huang Chin-chih (黃欽智), who allowed a lone run on five hits in 5-1/3 innings of work.

Jose Alberro pitched his best game of the season as a Lion in Wednesday's 2-0 shutout of the Cobras.

The Dominican native scattered three hits over eight spectacular frames before ace closer Michael Garcia wrapped up the win in a perfect ninth for his 18th consecutive save.

Garcia extended his scoreless streak to 31-1/3 innings.

Upcoming Games

Games 3 and 4 of the series between the Lions and the Cobras will carry much weight for the Cobras as they attempt to halt a five-game losing streak.

Nothing would please manager Kuo Tai-yuan (郭泰源) more than a pair of victories, which would end the series in a tie.

The league-leading Elephants will put their 3-1 record to the test in their three-game series against the new-and-improved Whales (3-2) this week as both teams look to remain above .500.

Manager Lin Yi-tseng (林易增) will need a strong performance from his two Japanese starters -- Nakagomi Sin and Yokota Hisanori -- if he wishes to keep pace with the Bulls in the standings.

The Bulls will have a three-game home stand against the La New Bears in Taichung.

All eyes will be on how the Bulls' infield will play as it wears the golden label of the national team from now until the summer Olumpics.