The 2026 New Generation Mini Baseball Invitational Tournament kicked off at Kamioka, Taichung, with more than 760 people participating

In the New Generation Mini Baseball Invitational Tournament, school children tried their best to pass the ball, looking cute. (Photo by reporter Zhang Xuanzhe)

[Reporter Zhang Xuanzhe/Taichung Report] To cultivate Taiwan's grassroots baseball, the "2026 New Generation Mini Baseball Invitational Tournament" hosted by the Taiwan New Generation Care Association will be held at the Shengang District Sports Park Baseball Stadium today (5th). The competition is divided into two groups, U9 and U11, with 12 teams participating. Including coaches, parents and staff, there are more than 760 participants. Early in the morning, the stadium was filled with the running figures of young players and the cheers rising and falling, creating a joyful scene.

The "New Generation Cup Lele Baseball Invitational Tournament" has been further expanded for the second time this year. 24 teams and about 480 young players have gathered together, giving more younger children the opportunity to put on jerseys, step onto the field, and experience the fun of swinging a bat, running bases, and teamwork in a real game.

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Today's opening ceremony included the founding chairman of the Taiwan New Generation Care Association and Vice President of the Legislative Yuan Jiang Qichen, association director Jiang Wenguo, city councilors Zhang Chengfen and Qiu Aishan, and Taichung City Government Guest Committee Chairman Jiang Junlong. The kick-off ceremony invited the Chinese national players Qiu Xiling, Zheng Jiacheng and Jiang Qichen of this World Cup Women's Baseball Championship to kick off the event.

In his speech, Jiang Qichen mentioned that for many young U9 players, today is likely to be the first official external game in their lives. Many years later, the children may not remember the score of this day, but the first time they put on the jersey and stood on the field with their teammates, the first time they hit the ball, the first time they ran back to home plate, or even the first time they shed tears because of losing, these experiences will become precious childhood memories.

Tu Lixuan, secretary-general of the Taiwan New Generation Care Association, said that in the future, we will continue to combine local sports resources to promote grassroots and community baseball, so that more children have the opportunity to truly enter the stadium, let baseball continue to take root in the community, and accompany more children to grow up happily.

The new generation mini baseball invitational tournament brings together young players from 24 teams. (Photo by reporter Zhang Xuanzhe)