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The 2024 Chinese Softball League is held at the Shaoxing Baseball and Softball Sports Center on May 19. [Photo/Tide News]

The 2024 Chinese Softball League's first phase opened at the Shaoxing Baseball and Softball Sports Center on May 19. The opening ceremony featured over 200 athletes from nine teams representing regions including Liaoning, Shanghai, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang.

On the opening day, Sichuan Sunbirds beat Xi'an Qin Feng Han Yun 8-1 and Henan Archers triumphed over Zhejiang Gu Yue Long Shan 10-0.

As one of the premier softball events in China, this marks the third consecutive year the league is held in Shaoxing. The first phase runs from May 18 to May 27, including 36 matches. A fan day with special activities is scheduled for the rest day on May 23.

The Shaoxing Baseball and Softball Sports Center, the venue for baseball and softball events at the 19th Asian Games, is the largest facility of its kind in China, meeting international A-level standards. The center recently hosted the 2024 National Women's Softball Championship, which concluded on May 15.

Shaoxing aims to establish itself as a premier destination for sports events, having successfully hosted numerous major national and international competitions, including the Chinese Basketball Association, the Women's Volleyball Club World Championship, and the Canoe World Championships.

The city is committed to enhancing competitive sports, promoting public participation, creating brand events, and developing the sports industry, accelerating its goal to become the "City of Baseball and Softball" in China.