Taipei City will officially create its own baseball team next month, with the former coach of New York Yankees pitcher Wang Chien-ming (王建民) serving as head coach, the city government said yesterday.
The city government invited Kao Ying-chieh (高英傑) to form a team of 25 players from retired professional, college and high school players in an effort to revive the sport following the national team’s embarrassing defeat to China at the World Baseball Classic earlier this month.
The defeat sparked criticism of the government’s neglect of the development of baseball.
Local governments including Taipei City, Taipei County, Taoyuan County and Taichung City will put together municipal baseball teams as part of the government’s efforts to nurture baseball talent.
Kao yesterday thanked the city government for taking the initiative in creating the team and said it would help cultivate young players at schools and represent the city in various tournaments.
Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin (郝龍斌) said the team, including Kao, three coaches and 25 players, would be recruited as contract workers under the city government. The city government will arrange for team members to serve as school coaches or contractors at municipal departments once their contracts end.
The city government said about 40 retired or laid-off professional baseball players are working in the city’s Hydraulic Engineering Office.
Kao welcomed interested baseball players to apply with the city’s Sports Office by April 3, adding that individuals who had been involved in gambling or have a record of bad behavior need not apply.
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