<Beijing Tigers No. 27 Cui Xiao>

Chinese Japanese

He led the league in base hits (24), was sixth in the league in batting average (.375), led his team in runs scored (18) and was third on his team in RBIs (11). This player, who put up these great numbers in the first half of the CBL season, is Cui Xiao of the Beijing Tigers, who will be turning 20 at the end of July.

He is probably not a player that most Beijing Tigers' fans know much about. However, 19 year-old Cui Xiao (No. 27) has developed into a player feared by opposing pitchers in a matter of six months.

We had the opportunity to chat with him on a drizzly June morning on the Beijing Tigers practice field.

【Cui Xiao (Beijing)】

- Hello. Many fans are taking notice of you but they still know very little about you. Could you briefly introduce yourself?

Cui Xiao: (Laughter) I'm always thankful for the support of the fans. I actually haven't been playing baseball for that long. Probably about nine years. I first started playing when I was at the Feng Tai Baseball School in Beijing. I joined the Beijing Youth Team (a preparatory squad for the Beijing Tigers) when I was in my second year of junior high school. Then in 2005, I played in the National Games of the People's Republic of China (commonly referred to as the All China Games) (as a "rental" player) as a member of the Fujian province team. After returning to the team in Beijing in 2006, I went over to Japan as a “Developmental Player” for the Yomiuri Giants for 10 months. I returned to the Beijing Tigers in 2007 and still play for them now.

- You've experienced a lot in a short period of time. Could you tell me how you got into playing baseball?

Cui Xiao: When I first began to play, it was just for fun. My father's friend played baseball and just when I was thinking that it might be a fun thing to do, and I was recommended that I attend a baseball school.

- It seems that what was once a simple urge to do something fun has turned into a job for you that you are succeeding in. What was it that caused the change from "just a hobby" to "a job".

Cui Xiao: I don't really know if I see baseball as a job (laughter). How can I explain this? As I continued to play baseball, I noticed its depth and how much fun it can be. I always play second base, but when I'm playing defense, I'm always trying to outsmart the base runners, and when I'm batting, I'm always trying to outsmart the pitches. This is something that is very fun for me. I have gradually become more and more interested in the depth of it.

- You joined the Beijing Youth Team, but then you also participated in the 2005 All China Games as a member of the Fujian team. In the competition, when you played against the Beijing Tigers, there were probably many veteran players on the Tigers that you looked up to. Were you nervous when you faced them?

Cui Xiao: Until then, I had never played in a competition of that magnitude. When I played against Beijing, I was very nervous because most of the players that I was playing against were veterans that I looked up to. But I became less nervous as the game progressed and I began thinking of ways to beat them. That competition was a good experience for me in that it helped me gain self-confidence.

- Then, after the All China Games, you went to Japan. How was that experience for you? Was there anything that happened that left a strong impression on you?

Cui Xiao: In 2006, I was sent over to the Yomiuri Giants in Japan, the allied club of the Beijing Tigers. The thing that has stayed with me the most is the fact that the coaches for the Yomiuri Giants coached us as if we were one of their own players. To be honest, before I went to Japan, I was worried whether the coaches there would couch players like us, who have limited baseball experience, with any seriousness at all, but I quickly saw that there was nothing to worry about. The coaching staff on the Yomiuri Giants coached us with enthusiasm and really helped me improve my skills.

- During your 10-month stay for the Giants and your experiences with Japanese baseball, was there anything that happened that left a lasting impression on you?

Cui Xiao: The thing that stood out the most for me was the fact that Japanese players work extremely hard to improve their abilities. I practiced with a minor league affiliate of the Yomiuri Giants, but whether the players were developing young players, or veterans on a rehab assignment, they were all serious about the game and they all really enjoyed playing baseball at the same time.

- After that, you returned to the Beijing Tigers. How was that transition for you?

Cui Xiao: I was not satisfied with my records at all last season. Even though I got a lot of playing time, I made a lot of errors in the field, and as for my hitting, I really couldn’t show my team what I had learned in Japan. I was still immature from a mental standpoint. I could not rise to the occasion under pressure.

- Would you say that it was your offseason preparation that has led to your success this season?

Cui Xiao: Yes, I would say so. First off, in order to decrease the number of errors, I worked especially hard on my defense. In terms of my hitting, I worked on hitting the ball on the barrel of the bat on every swing. During the offseason, I just worked on improving my skills in any way that I could. As a result of the offseason training and actual game experience, I feel that I was able to improve my skills, especially with my hitting. I also think that I have been able to settle down, mentally. But, it is true that all of our games in the first half were away games, so I really didn’t feel the pressure that you can only feel in a home game (laughter).

- How would you rate the level of play of the Beijing Tigers in the first half of the season?

Cui Xiao: In the first half, we didn’t have many of our best players because they were chosen for the Olympic team and were playing games overseas, which created some difficulties for us (the Beijing Tigers). However this created a great opportunity for the young players on our ballclub who had not had the chance to play yet. I think that even though we had a young team, we were aggressive offensively and we were able to improve our offense as a team. But, on defense, we committed a lot of errors and we still need to work on our relay plays. I also felt that with the absence of our leading pitchers Wang Nan, Li Chen Hao, Li Wei Liang and Mao Lei, our young pitchers with limited experience felt that each needs a lot of improvement.

- Please share with me your thoughts on the second half of the season which will begin after the completion of the Beijing Olympic Games.

Cui Xiao: The second half of the season will begin on September 5th. Our players on the national team will be back, and as for the rest of us, we’ll have until September to keep on practicing. I think that we will have a stronger team in the second half. I am confident, of course, that we can win the championship.

- Do you feel confident that you will be able to stay in the starting lineup even after the players on the national team return?

(Interviewer's note: Among the infielders on Beijing’s roster are players such as Li Lei who also played well for the national team.)

Cui Xiao: I was able to have some success in the first half, but that was only made possible because of the support of my teammates and the guidance of the veteran players on our ballclub. There is still a huge gap between the level of play of the players on the national team and myself. That is why I have to keep working hard to improve my skills. I believe that I will be able to remain a starter if I continue to practice with the motto “Improve every day in any way that I can”.

-Do you have a favorite baseball player?

Cui Xiao: Yes, I have 3. Yoshinobu Takahashi, Michihiro Ogasawara and Lee Seung Yeop (all active players for the Yomiuri Giants). When I was with the Yomiurui Giants’ minor farm team, there was a period of time when Mr. Takahashi was training with the team. When we returned to China, Mr. Takahashi came up to give us some words of encouragement. We had language barrier, but I could tell that he was saying “good luck!”. Mr. Lee also gave us some words of encouragement when he was training with the farm team after the completion of the World Baseball Classic.

- What are the strengths of Yoshinobu Takahashi?

Cui Xiao: He’s big-time slugger. He’s also steady and able to let his abilities take over. I think that he is a true baseball star.

- We have faith that you will be the Yoshinobu Takahashi of China. Could you give your fans one final message?

Cui Xiao: I was able to have some success in the first half, but I don’t want to stop here. I will continue to work hard! Games in the second half will begin on September 5th, so come out to the ballpark and cheer for us!

【Cui Xiao’s Player Profile】
Name written in English:　　Cui Xiao
Hometown　　Beijing
Date of Birth: July 31, 1988 (Age 19)
Physique: 180 cm 65kg (Throws Right Bats Right)
Blood type: B
Hobbies etc.: Internet, soccer, basketball, pool
※ 2008 First Half Stats:　
Games played: 11, Base hits: 24 (Led League), Batting Average: .375 (6th in League)

Post-interview remarks:：
Cui Xiao was the youngest CBL player I have interviewed. However, he did not show his youth and his opinions were very mature. His baseball career has just begun. He still has a lot to experience and has a great deal of potential. After the interview, Cui Xiao went back to his hard practice session. “Improve every day in any way that I can" - As long as he continues to practice with this spirit, he is sure to have a bright future ahead of him. The Beijing Tigers have several players with a lot of heart like Cui Xiao. A golden age much like the 3-year period starting in 2003, when they won three consecutive CBL championships, may be on the horizon.