Translated by Cara Steenstra
News released by Government Information Office
Release Date: 2006-03-12

Chinese Professional Baseball League's 17th Year Pledging Ceremony was held at Tiger City in Taichung City on March 12. Taichung City Mayor Jason Hu welcomed all six teams to Taichung, and wishes them all the best in this coming 17th year. Mayor Hu expressed that the international standard baseball stadium will be completed at the end of the year and the Inter-continental Cup games will be held at the end of the year right here in Taichung. Last year, all three levels of Taichung City's baseball teams represented Taiwan in international games, with Taichung's Sinon Bulls winning the overall championship of the professional baseball league games two years in a row. This allowed Taichung City to become the stronghold of baseball in Taiwan. Mayor Hu also expressed his wish towards the National Council on Physical Fitness & Sports for a baseball stadium to be built soon.

The Chinese Professional Baseball League held their Pledging Ceremony in Taichung on March 12. Six teams were present, including La New Bears, Brother Elephants, Chinatrust Whales, Uni-Lions, Macoto Cobras and Sinon Bulls. Under the leadership of Sinon Bulls pitcher Guo Yong Zhi, the Chinese Professional Baseball League pledged that in their 17th year, they would have a clean, healthy and excellent season of professional baseball. Mayor Hu and Chairman of the Chinese Professional Baseball League Zhao Shou Bo hit the gong together to signify the beginning of the new season and announced the official start of the 17th year of Chinese Professional Baseball League.

Thousands of baseball fans were present at the Pledging Ceremony. There were stage performances, baseball related games, souvenirs stalls and much more. The autograph signing booths were the most popular , with fans waiting to get autographs surrounded all the popular baseball stars.