Hitachi Construction Machinery presents
“Fantasy Challenge”
Exciting Battle between Tianjin Lions and OBC Takashima

The Tianjin Lions, the powerhouse team in the 2007 Chinese Baseball League (CBL), have begun their third annual training camp in Japan along with the assistance of their partner team in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), the Yokohama BayStars. On September 1st in Shiga County Moriyama Baseball Stadium, the “Hitachi Construction Machinery presents Fantasy Challege: Tianjin Lions vs. OBC Takashima" series became the focus of Tianjin's training in Japan.

*Who are the OBC Takashima?
In February of 2006, the Tomokazu Ohka Baseball Club/OBC Takashima were formed in Japan's Shiga county. The amateur baseball club's home field is located in Takashima, at Imazu baseball field. The GM of the team is former Major League Baseball standout pitcher Tomokazu Ohka (formerly of the Yokohama BayStars). The team's ever-growing motto is, "To become a baseball club that establishes roots in society, serves society, and makes society proud."

2007-09-01 13:00   Shigaken-MoriyamaBaseballfeild

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Tianjin Lions	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	9	3
ＯＢＣ Takashima	0	1	0	0	0	1	0	0	X	2	5	1

Because of a Tianjin error, OBC was able to score in the second, and lead the Lions. The middle of the game became a pitcher's duel between OBC pitcher Imaizumi and Tianjin pitcher Su Changlong, as the two pitchers put up zeros until the sixth, when things started to unravel, as OBC's Suzuki hit a double that knocked in a run. The Tianjin team had 9 hits in the game, which was much more that OBC, but their running errors were too apparent, and Tianjin took the loss. The number four hitter, Yang Guogang, hat three hits in the game, and was chosen as the Valuable Player of the game.

The Tianjin Lions training in Japan began in 2005, and has become an annual event the past three years. This year from August 21st – September 8th, they similarly returned to Japan with the support of the Yokohama BayStars, and stayed for three weeks of training and practices. During their time in Japan, in addition to practicing with the Yokohama BayStars and the Shonan Searex twice, the Lions also played friendship games against the two teams.
*Shonan Searex is a minor league team which belongs to the Yokohama BayStars.

Through the generous and patient guidance of the Shonan Searex, the Tianjin Lions have improved greatly in their defense, offence, and running abilities.

After the training sessions in Japan, Tianjin's head coach Jiao Yi commented that "Tianjin's level of play definitely has a far way to go to catch up to Japan's, however in the past three years, through the help of the Baystars, we've received an amazing training environment, and the Japanese have been proactive in training us. I feel we've made gradual strides in improving our play. I hope next year, Tianjin can win the CBL championship again, and return to Japan to play in the Konami Cup Asia Series. At the same time, I hope to continue our friendship with the Yokohama Baystars in polishing our skills together on the same field."