¡¡¡¡China's American head coach Michael Bastian commented favourably yesterday on the Chinese national team which is gearing up for the ISF XI Women's Fast Pitch  World Championship scheduled to open in Beijing on August 27, 2006.

¡¡¡¡"Although we are to face such formidable opponents as the United States, Japan, Australia and Canada, we are confident that we can enter the final round," said Michael Bastian. "China has one of the best softball teams in the world," the coach added. "The players have benn training very hard and are looking forward to do well at the upcoming tournament."

¡¡¡¡The American coach then gave a brief account of his team members.

¡¡¡¡China will send four pitchers, three veterans and one newcomer, to the Beijing World Championship. Among them Lu Wei is one of the top pitchers in the world today and will probably become the world's No. 1 pitcher some day. Lu's younger teammate Zhou Yin, an 18-year-old promising pitcher, is regarded as a secret weapon of the team with her strong build and powerful pitches. Zhou will make her first appearance at the softball worlds and will surely gain experience for further progress.

¡¡¡¡The team also has a few experienced players on the defensive. Li Chunxia, for one, is a veteran shortstop, who was elected captain by all her teammates rather than appointed by the team's management. Second base Sun Li is a technical all-rounder while first base Yu Yanhong is known for her consistent performance in major world tournaments.

¡¡¡¡On the outfield are veterans Zhang Ai and Zhou Yi. Their younger teammates Wu Di, Jiang Xin and Zhang Lifang will take the field in turn to show their talents in the sport.

¡¡¡¡The two catchers, Lu Yi and Ding Hong, have also won the praises of their coach, who is quite satisfied with their performances in both training and competition.

¡¡¡¡As Michael Bastian put it, he had spent quite a lot of time on singling out these ace players to make up the team's best combination for world tournaments. (Photos Wu Peng)