Young athletes compete during the tournament. [Photo/Tide News]

The Sixth "Strait Cup" Youth Baseball and Softball Open concluded on July 30 at the Liangzhu Baseball, Softball and Rugby Sports Center in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province.

Held from July 28 to 30, the tournament attracted 23 teams and 422 young players from across the Chinese mainland and Taiwan, competing in six divisions from U8 to U15.

After three days of competition, Zhejiang teams won four of the six titles. Ningbo Lanqing School won the U8 Softball Year 1 championship. Huifeng Academy in Ningbo claimed the U8 Softball Year 2 title while Chengbei Primary School in Shengzhou took the U10 Softball crown and Chengnan Primary School in Quzhou secured the U12 Softball title. The U12 Baseball and U15 Baseball championships were won by teams from Taiwan's Tainan and Nantou, respectively.

The tournament earned positive feedback for its professional organization and competition facilities. Taiwan coach Yao Yu-hsiang praised the venue and event services, adding that he was looking forward to exploring Liangzhu after the tournament and sampling more local cuisine with his players.

The games were held at Hangzhou's largest baseball and softball complex, which has become a major venue for high-level tournaments in Zhejiang. The successful event highlighted the province's growing baseball and softball culture while strengthening sports, cultural and youth exchanges across the Taiwan Strait.

Young athletes from Tainan celebrate after a match. [Photo/WeChat account: ZJ-ZBSA]