League of our own looking to long term

Revamped pro competition off to encouraging start as fresh MLB input offers extra hope

Were it not for the sharp crack of the bat, the raucous cheers and drumrolls emanating from Tuanpo Sports Center in Tianjin on Thursday could easily have been mistaken for the noise of a top professional soccer match.

To the surprise of media and even the players, nearly 3,000 fans turned up for the opening match of the China National Baseball League's new season - a welcome boost for everyone involved with the sport here.