It was more than just another exhibition game on Tuesday night at Cromie Park for Ladner Minor Baseball’s top 13U AAA team.
The association welcomed a touring team from Taiwan that is in Vancouver to prepare for the upcoming Babe Ruth League Cal Ripken Major/70 World Series in Branson, Missouri, Aug. 3 to 13.
Ladner opened the scoring with a solo home run in the bottom of the first inning before Taiwan showcased its bats an inning later to take control of a game where the outcome was secondary to the unique experience of facing an international opponent.
Taiwan is participating in the Cal Ripken Major/70 World Series for the very first time since launching the Taiwan Babe Ruth Baseball League in 2020.
The team was formed back in May following tryouts with players coming from seven cities and counties. Taiwan was scheduled to play four games in the Metro Vancouver area before heading to San Francisco for additional training.
In Missouri, Taiwan will face Bahamas, Puerto Rico and Australia in International Pool play.
Meanwhile, Ladner will wind down its league schedule this weekend as it prepares for the B.C. Minor Baseball’s 13U AAA Provincial Championships in Nanaimo July 28 to Aug. 1.
