The Executive Committee of Baseball Federation of Asia (BFA) met in Tokyo on February 23, 2012 to streamline the Asian competition calendar in response to the new Format of International Tournaments adopted by IBAF at its Congress in Dallas last December, as well as to discuss some other important issues, which will be reported to IBAF President by the BFA Secretariat later.

Japan Amateur Baseball Association (JABA) with the support of Baseball Federation of Asia (BFA), hosted the 54th Umpire School in Suzuka City, Mie, Japan for 3 days from February 17 through 19. Although the training session on the ground met occasional snow flurries, it did not deter enthusiastic umpire students who were eager to improve their judging skills and to update themselves to the new rules.

Kao Chih-Kang of Chinese Taipei was named Asia’s Player Representative for the IBAF Olympic Reinstatement Campaign.
Kao is currently the starting catcher for the Uni-President Lions in the CPBL and has represented his country in major international competitions.

Taiwan’s Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) announced the 24-man team roster on February 1, as they will go up against Japan’s All-Stars for the game to be played on March 10 at the Tokyo Dome.

The World Children’s Baseball Fair (WCBF) held the 20th Anniversary Award Luncheon at the Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California last weekend. Founders Sadaharu Oh and Hank Aaron were honored among others.

In a major step to revitalize amateur baseball, CTBA (Chinese Taipei Baseball Association) has taken charge to establish two teams of a total 58 top-selection amateur players from all corners of Taiwan.

Taiwan’s professional baseball league (CPBL) held its annual draft in Taipei on Wed. (Dec. 28), with a total of 21 amateur players selected to bolster the four ballclubs’ line-up for the next season.

The Meiji Jingu Team, from Japan’s Aomori Prefecture, edged out Taiwan’s Kaohsiung County squad 8-7 in a 13-inning thriller (Tues. Dec. 27) to wrap up the final contest of the 2011 E.Sun Cup AAA International Baseball Tournament.

Although 2011’s was the ninth such 19-and-under tournament since the ISF began the event in 1981, this one had some ‘firsts.’

The intensive two day sessions by 15 top level umpires of both amateurs and professionals were held on the field in the day time and in the class rooms at night, attracting 111 umpires from all over Japan and helping improve their skills and knowledge for better baseball games.