For most Chinese people, baseball and softball are unfamiliar and niche, but in Liangzhu Cultural Village, this sport has a large number of fans.
Seven years ago, two parent-child baseball teams were born here; the year before last, more than 40 fathers of the baseball team built a baseball field called "Jufu" for their children. This is also the first real baseball field in Zhejiang Province. A standard baseball field; now, the membership of the Jufu Baseball and Softball Club established on the basis of the field has expanded to nearly 200 members...
Here, they use baseball and softball to change their families and neighborhoods, and they also find happiness and health while swinging the bat.
Other mothers are responsible for cheering the mothers here to take part in the battle themselves
On the last weekend of 2020, at the Jufu Baseball Field next to Wushanqian Village and Dream Town in Cangqian, a slow pitch game was going on. The two teams competing, one is the Gudao Tigers team, which is mainly composed of fathers and children, and the other is JFK (Joyful King, also known as "King of the Family" in Chinese), which is mainly composed of mothers.
Although they lost by a big score of 0:4, the mothers who walked off the court were not depressed. "Our team was established in September, and it's only been three months now. If we practice more, we can beat them." Guo's mother was one of the first members of the "King of the Family" softball team, and when it comes to the name of the team , she explained with a smile, "Generally, dad is called the head of the family, but our throne has never been shaken, and it is the same on the sports field."
Although he said it was to revitalize the family status, in reality Mothers fall in love with swinging bats because they want to be better versions of themselves while taking care of family and work. "Human emotions are like floods. They cannot be blocked but can only be channeled, especially for women. Softball can not only release the negative emotions accumulated at work and family, but also make the body healthier." Guo Ma said, Slow Baseball is a mixed sport for men and women and generally adopts the "7+3" principle. "There are 7 women and 3 men on the court, or 7 men and 3 women."
Guo's mother's family
Guo's mother's statement was also recognized by Pangge's mother. She said: "I don't play ball. "It's Dad, every time he hits a ball, he feels better." Mom believes that every time she throws a ball, it's like throwing something that doesn't go well, and every time she swings the bat, it's like she can get rid of her worries.
"Baseball and softball is a team sport, and the game also takes us back to our school days, working hard for the team." Mothers have regained the passion of their youth in sports.
"Most of the members of our team are family members of our father's baseball team members. In the past, they mostly went to the stadium to cheer for their children and husbands and do some logistical work." Guo's mother sighed. After she actually stepped onto the field, Only then did I discover the fun of baseball and softball. And this common hobby also gives mothers more topics to talk about with their partners and children.
"When I played for the first time, my child was very excited. He asked me if I had played, if I had caught the ball or hit the ball, and encouraged me to keep working hard. My husband also cheered me off the court and helped me analyze the situation on the court." Da Niu’s mother said that she used to encourage her children, but now after participating in the softball competition, not only can she and her daughter encourage each other, but her husband also provides advice and guidance from time to time. This feeling is very happy.
Male and female baseball and softball is a unique experience
Jin Zheng is one of the few men on the team
Although the "King of the Family" softball team is dominated by mothers, it does not exclude men from joining. 41 years old Jin Zheng is one of the few men in the team and is also the team captain. On the court, he is the absolute main force and core; off the court, he has also become the team's "favorite".
Before he came into contact with baseball and softball, Jin Zheng’s favorite thing was football, and playing ball once or twice a week was indispensable. Now his focus of sports has slowly shifted to baseball and softball. "Because I have to participate in baseball and softball training and competitions, I have missed football several times. My friends who play football with me have asked me if I want to give up football completely."
Jin Zheng has only been playing baseball and softball for less than a year, but he has always been with baseball and softball. The fate is not short at all. “When I was a child, I watched the Japanese anime “Baseball Heroes ” and learned about this sport for the first time. When I was around 30, I fell in love with watching Major League Baseball, but there were not many opportunities to play baseball around me."
It wasn't until he bought a house in Liangzhu Cultural Village three years ago that Jin Zheng really came into contact with baseball and softball. "I like growing flowers. I met Coach Jack from the Jufu Baseball and Softball Club in the cultural village flower growing group, and I also I know there is a stadium here. "After experiencing it several times with his daughter, Jin Zheng immediately fell in love with the sport and officially joined the club.
"Compared with football, the competition in baseball and softball is not so fierce, and the physical requirements are relatively low. In my case, At this age, motor function will inevitably enter a period of decline. I feel that baseball is more suitable for me. In addition, baseball and softball are very rich in rules, techniques and tactics, which is also what attracts me. "Jin Zheng said that as a newbie in baseball and softball, both his personal skills and team consciousness are at a stage of obvious improvement, while football has slowly begun to go downhill.
In addition, compared to football, a "monk" sport, , men’s and women’s baseball and softball also gave Jin Zheng a different experience. “Cooperating with mothers during the game, being trusted by them, especially the satisfaction after winning the game, is difficult to experience in football. "
The education and family factors behind baseball and softball are also a major factor that attracts Jin Zheng. "When the Jufu Baseball and Softball Club was first established, it has been emphasizing the relationship between father and son. The father must join first before the child can join. During daily training, fathers are also allowed to teach their children in person, and baseball is used to reshape the role and status of fathers in family education. "
In the past six months since he started playing baseball and softball, Jin Zheng has obviously felt that his relationship with his daughter is getting better and better, and his family relationship has become more harmonious. "On weekends, I go to the field with my children to throw pitches and swing bats. I used to play football. They won't follow me to the stadium. "
Family happiness and neighborhood harmony. Baseball is the bond that maintains emotions.
From the parent-child baseball team seven years ago, to 40 fathers working together to build the stadium, to the father-in-law baseball and softball club with 80 families... the impact of Liangzhu Cultural Village For residents, baseball and softball are not only a sport, but also a unique community cultural factor. This is inseparable from the hard work of the founders, Sister Wendy and Uncle Jack.
“In Europe and the United States, sports are often shared by families and communities. Hobbies and topics, it is very common for the family to play ball together and for neighbors to make appointments to watch the game together. But in China, sports are often just a personal hobby, separated from family and community. "Sister Wendy said that she and Uncle Jack did not simply want to promote the sport of baseball and softball over the years, but hoped to use baseball and softball to reshape the role of parents in the growth of their children and at the same time build harmonious neighborhood relationships.
" Parents are the best role models and teachers for their children's growth. Our baseball team has been emphasizing the parent-child relationship since its inception. "Sister Wendy said that wearing the same team uniform with her children, training and competing together is definitely a different experience than sending her children to training classes.
At the same time, baseball and softball also allow families to have more exchanges, thus Make the neighborhood relationship more harmonious. “Here, everyone, whether parents or children, is a teammate. "
Just like when we crowdfunded to build the stadium, everyone has a common goal and works hard together. Such memories will be unforgettable for a lifetime.
News link - What is baseball and softball?
Baseball (Baseball) is a metal bat The competitive sport of hitting the ball for offensive and defensive confrontation first originated in the 15th century, when paddle ball was popular in the United Kingdom. It was later introduced to the United States and was included in the Olympic Games in 1992.
Softball (softball) evolved from baseball. It originated in Chicago in the 1880s. In 1996, women's softball was officially listed as an Olympic sport.
Although softball and baseball are different ball sports, they have many similarities in their game rules and terminology. The two sports require the same basic equipment: a ball, a glove, and a bat. Said that in the game, one team needs to throw the ball to the opponent's batter. If the opponent hits the ball, all players can run to the next base until the ball is caught by the opponent.The team that reaches home base first wins.
Softball is developed from baseball. The rules are similar, and the technical difficulty and intensity of exercise are slightly lower than baseball.
The biggest difference between softball and baseball is that the softball ball is relatively soft and larger, so the gloves are also larger, and the bat is lighter and thinner, with various materials. Softball became an official event at the Olympic Games in 1996, with only women's teams. This practice has continued. Therefore, in formal international competitions, baseball is generally played by men, while softball is only played by women.
(Original title "Why Liangzhu Cultural Village Prefers Baseball and Softball". Editor Lu Wenlin)
