Sports Hero

Cheng Hoi-ting

Member of the Hong Kong, China Men’s Baseball Squad

Some jokingly call Hong Kong the “city without fields”, implying the absence of baseball in the city. Despite its subdued popularity in Hong Kong, baseball has a firm foothold in the local sports community, thanks to the selfness and persistent contributions of passionate baseball players towards the sport in this “city without fields.” In this issue’s “Sports Hero”, we interviewed Cheng Hoi-ting, a member of the Hong Kong, China Men’s Baseball Squad.

Embracing Baseball, Understanding Life

A baseball veteran, Cheng has been playing the sport since the age of six, when he was inspired by his cousin’s vigorous presence on the field. He then ventured on the baseball journey alongside his cousin. He believes baseball is not only a competitive sport but also a means of pursuing personal growth. Through baseball, Cheng has achieved remarkable self-improvement by gaining wisdom to overcome challenges, making him fearless to face up to difficulties. Winning or losing does not really matter. These can chiefly explain why he is so passionate about baseball. He said, “Unlike other sports, teamwork and strategies are particularly important in baseball. Whether pitching, hitting, running bases, or fielding, players must coordinate well with one another and execute strategies to secure victory.”

Overcoming Adversity, Finding Joy in Sorrow

Cheng had an unforgettable experience in the early days of learning baseball. He could vividly remember as if it were yesterday the scene. “My head was hit by the ball in the game. My mouth corners were bleeding.” Although the injury was hard to take for a rookie who had been giving his best in the match, Cheng remained undaunted and did not give up playing baseball. Instead, he was more determined to be a good baseball player. Cheng’ s baseball career over the years has been beset by challenges, the most unforgettable of which was the accident at the age of 18, when he fractured his metacarpal just before the U-18 Asian Baseball Championship. Despite the medical advice to rest for 3 months following his medical examination, he had a bandage wrapped around his fractured palm for stabilisation and insisted on playing on the field. He realised from this experience that, even for a well-trained athlete, it was a must to have steely determination to overcome adversity. He believes that “happiness can be found everywhere on the field, so one should make the best moment of his time even in sorrow”. This motto has motivated him to keep striving for excellence over the years.

Baseball Gaining Recognition in Hong Kong

Cheng is hugely optimistic about the development of baseball in Hong Kong. He believes that baseball is gaining popularity in the city with more and more young participants. In the past, it only drew a small audience; now more and more fans are coming out to watch the matches. The Baseball Association of Hong Kong, China (The Association) is dedicated to the promotion and development of baseball. To offer baseball players more chances to receive training and play matches, the Association hosts regular local and international events, including local leagues at various levels, championships, and Asian Games events. Baseball, a sport for all ages, helps participants build physical strength, improve body-coordination, foster teamwork, as well as develop leadership skills. Given the above, Cheng strongly encourages people to learn baseball from a young age.

Hong Kong Squad Rising to Prominence through Interaction with the National Team

Cheng mentioned that the Hong Kong Baseball Squad had made remarkable successes in recent years, rising to prominence in international competitions. It finished sixth at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games, followed by the runner-up in the Asian Cup last year, putting local players on par with international peers. The Hong Kong Squad actively exchanges experience with the national team and hone players’ skills through friendly matches, thereby enhancing their competitiveness and exploring strategies to promote baseball in unison.

Robust Development in Hong Kong and Experience for Future Success

Looking ahead, Cheng strongly believes that as there are more baseball supporters and participants in Hong Kong, the talents and young coaches look promising, and can hopefully exceed the accomplishments of predecessors to celebrate great successes. He mentioned that the Association would host the Baseball5 World Cup in the Central Harbourfront, with the aim of drawing more public attention to the development of baseball in the city and promoting the international status of local baseball. It is a hugely anticipated event where he can compete with top players from across the world and gain valuable experience in major events, thereby putting the Hong Kong squad in a better position to strive for success on the international stage.