<Issue 2 ～　Lu Chao, Guangdong>

Chinese Japanese

The Guangdong Leopards, who were the runnerup champions last season, struggled in the first half of this year’s CBL season and were 7 games below the .500 mark (4-11). Their league-leading total of runs allowed (115) really shows why they struggled so much. The pattern of allowing a runner to reach base on an error and the pitcher not being able to keep the runner from scoring was a common occurrence. For this reason, Manager Lai Guo Jun has stressed the need to “strengthen their pitching and defense thoroughly” if they are going to have a resurgence in the second half of the season.

The Guangdong Leopards, with the support of persons involved with Japanese universities, are participating in a month-long trip to Japan beginning in early June. They have actively participated in practices with university teams as well as playing some friendly games against them and worked on fixing their problem areas.

【The Guangdong Leopards, in their training camp in Japan】

【Hot Ballplayer Spotlight】Series Volume 2　We had the opportunity to chat with Lu Chao (Age 19, right-hander) during his stay in Japan. Lu was the only pitcher on Guangdong’s young pitching staff who was among the top ten in the league in ERA in the first half of the season.

- What are your impressions of practicing with Japanese university students who are about the same age as you?

Lu: I am very impressed with their attitude towards playing baseball. With everything from taking care of the playing field both before and after practice, putting away the equipment, taking care of the equipment, as well as the encouragement shouts during practice, they are very serious about playing and there is a lot that I can learn from them.

- How did you get into playing baseball?

Lu: I'm from Heibei province and had always played ping-pong. When I was 16, a Japanese baseball coach spoke to me and convinced me to join a local team. I played first base at first but was converted to a pitcher, possibly because of my size. Then in the end of 2004, I was able to become a member of the Guangdong Leopards through a baseball related connection that I had.

- Did you have any interest in baseball before?

Lu: I remember watching the championship game of the 9th All-China Games which was held in Guangdong in 2001. The game was between Guangdong and Tianjin and Ren Min hit grand slam for Tianjin to win the game.

- How have the past 3 seasons with the Guangdong Leopards been for you?

Lu: This was a new city for me and there were some things that I was not used to at first, but thanks to the support of my teammates, I’ve been able to settle down here. The moment that stands out in my mind was my first CBL start of the 2006 season. It was against the Hopestars. I pitched 7 innings of shutout ball and was the winning pitcher in the game. I hope to continue to do whatever I can to help the Guangdong Leopards win.

- How was the first half of the 2008 season for you?

Lu: I was mainly used in relief and as a closer and was put in the game at some tense moments in the game, which was a little nerve racking at first. I’ve gotten used to it a little, though. I try to bear down especially for the leadoff batter in order to keep the opposing team from scoring.

- How many different pitches do you have? Is there anything in particular you are working on?

Lu: I can throw my fastball now at a maximum speed of about 139 kilometers per hour. I also have a curve ball, forkball and a changeup. Manager Lai has suggested that I pick up a new stuff, so I intend on doing that while I’m in Japan. I’m learning a new pitch right now from one of the Japanese coaches. The pitch is a “ … ”. (He has requested that the pitch be kept a secret since he intends on using it as a secret weapon, so I have omitted it here. We shall see what the pitch is in the second half of the season! – by the interviewer)

-Do you have a favorite baseball player?

Lu: Yes. It’s Daisuke Matsuzaka of the Boston Red Sox (MLB)!
I love his dynamic pitching style. I’ve taken the liberties of copying his hairstyle (laughter).

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