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An aerial view of the Shaoxing Baseball and Softball Sports Culture Center. [Photo/Shaoxing Municipal Bureau of Sports]

The 2022 Asian Games have sparked a passion for baseball and softball in Shaoxing, East China's Zhejiang province.

In 2022, Shaoxing launched an ambitious plan to become a "City of Baseball and Softball", injecting fresh energy into the local sports scene.

That same year, the Shaoxing Baseball and Softball Sports Culture Center opened its doors. This massive 160,000-square-meter venue, which can seat 10,000 spectators, already hosts nearly 30 events annually.

Students practice baseball in Shaoxing, Zhejiang province. [Photo/Shaoxing Municipal Bureau of Sports]

In 2022, Shaoxing selected 32 schools for its "Baseball and Softball into Schools" initiative, which has since expanded to 82 schools, with plans to surpass 100 by 2025. For many students, baseball is more than just a game — it's a pathway to higher education and more opportunities.

Today, over 500 people in Shaoxing regularly participate in baseball and softball, with four clubs and five amateur teams forming a growing community.

"These two sports are easy to learn, don't require a lot of players or equipment, and feature fast-paced action, making them accessible to all," said a high-ranking official of the Shaoxing Municipal Bureau of Sports.

Shaoxing's push to become a City of Baseball and Softball is in full swing, blending modern sports infrastructure with grassroots participation.