An Indonesian pitcher fires a strike at the opening match between China and Indonesia during the 9th Asian U12 Baseball Championship in Zhongshan, Guangdong province, on Friday. The flagship event of the Baseball Federation of Asia, held every two years, attracted eight teams from the Chinese mainland, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, India, Pakistan, Taiwan and Hong Kong. [Photo by Qiu Quanlin / China Daily]

The 9th Asian U12 Baseball Championship, a flagship event of the Baseball Federation of Asia, has attracted eight teams from the Chinese mainland, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, India, Pakistan, Taiwan and Hong Kong.

The event, held every two years, will end on Dec 13 at Zhongshan's Dongsheng township, known as China's home of baseball.

Dongsheng is the birthplace of Liang Fuchu, who was integral in bringing baseball to China. His son, Liang Youwen, then 82, returned to his hometown in 2007 to coach a local youth baseball team.

Nearly 150 young players will compete in 20 games during the five-day tournament.