China News Service, Chengdu, October 10th, Title: Taiwan Youth Formed Chengdu’s First Blind Baseball Team: Looking for the Glimmer of Light in the Dark and Swinging the Bat to the Future
China News Service reporter Yue Yitong
After confirming the position of the ball with his hands, 52-year-old Ou Xinghua swung the bat and hit a beautiful fly ball. Without any hesitation, he dropped the bat and sprinted towards the buzzing “post” with vigorous movements. When he was about to reach it, he made a flying dive and scored a point for the team. Although one of his shoes ran away and he fell down, he quickly got up, raised his hands and cheered excitedly.
This is the first blind baseball team in Chengdu – “Glimmer Baseball Team”, formed by Taiwanese youth Zhang Zhihong. Except for him, the other 11 team members are all visually impaired. The name of the team is “Shimmer”, which means that even the smallest strength can bring a beam of light to the dark world; the logo is a giant panda wearing sunglasses about to swing a bat.
On October 10, the “Shimmer Baseball Team” was training. Zhang Zhihong (middle) was coaching the players. Photo by China News Service reporter Zhang Lang
Zhang Zhihong, 36 years old, has been enthusiastic about public welfare since he was 15 years old. In 2017, he became the “son-in-law of Chengdu” and settled in Chengdu. He still insists on devoting himself to public welfare. From helping the visually impaired run, rock climb, and swim to forming a baseball team, Zhang Zhihong said, “My original intention is to let more visually impaired people get out of the house and have a richer and more exciting life experience.”
The reason why he chose baseball is related to Zhang Zhihong’s deep feelings for this sport. “Taiwanese people love baseball. Many people have played baseball since childhood. Everyone has a ‘ball spirit.'” Zhang Zhihong said that Taiwan also has a blind baseball team, and he hopes that the “Glimmer Baseball Team” can play a cross-strait friendly match with them in the future.
The team, which was established just over two months ago, has been constantly “breaking through”. How to get the players to understand the rules of baseball games is the number one problem Zhang Zhihong encounters. For invisible teammates, the shape of the court and the rules of the game are too pale to describe in words. Later, Zhang Zhihong had an idea and carved a miniature version of the baseball field on Braille paper for the players to touch. “As soon as I touched it, I had a concept in my mind and understood the route of running the bases.” 47-year-old team member Zhang Mingxian said. From his fingertips to his mind, the appearance of the baseball field gradually became clearer.
On October 10, the “Shimmer Baseball Team” was playing a training game. Photo by China News Service reporter Zhang Lang
A baseball game in a dark world, with only sound and touch as clues. In order to let the ball speak, Zhang Zhihong racked his brains. The first-generation ball he designed was made by inserting a small sound into a split tennis ball, but this ball could not be hit and could only be used for defensive training; the second-generation ball used a special hitting ball with a bell in the middle. “But the ringing sound of the bell after being hit is not long enough, and the players are easy to lose their way midway. The design of the third-generation ball is still being improved.”
The players couldn’t see the lines and base bags on the court, so Zhang Zhihong used a marker board to fix the points, then filled the inside of the tumbler with water and inflated it, innovatively creating a “base pillar” that stood up from the ground, and also equipped it with a simple sounder. In this way, players can run in the direction of the sound and confirm the successful base run by hugging the “base post”.
On October 10, Zhang Zhihong (left) was coaching the team members. Photo by China News Service reporter Zhang Lang
Although missed hits and failed runs are common, the players still devote themselves to every training session with enthusiasm. From being nervous about leaving home at first to trying new sports without hesitation, 55-year-old Li Zhonghua said frankly, “Although we can’t see, we can also run and play baseball. I feel that I can go anywhere in the future.”
According to Zhang Mingxian, who has been exercising for a year and a half, baseball is more of a test of team spirit than running. “I’m happy every time I swing the bat, and I’m not afraid every time I run the bases.” She said with a smile. It’s not scary to be blind, but the scary thing is not to try. “The team leader, volunteers and blind friends who participate together, we work together to gather huge energy, and light can appear in the dark world.”
Zhang Zhihong often tells the story of Taiwan’s famous “Hongye Little League” with his team members. This team once used stones as baseballs and wooden sticks as bats to train, creating miracles in difficult circumstances. Zhang Zhihong said, “For the visually impaired, as long as they open a window in their hearts, they can break through obstacles and try anything.” He hopes that the team members will gain more happiness, friendship and confidence through baseball, and bravely swing the bat into the future. “One hit and a hit” in the invisible world. (over)
Source: China News Service
Editor in charge: Hou Zhe
