Yanks To Hold Baseball Clinic In Taiwan

The Yankees broadened their reach a little more yesterday with the announcement that they will be holding a baseball clinic in Taipei, Taiwan later this month.

Here is the official press release from the Yankees:

The New York Yankees announced today they will join the Chinese Taipei Baseball Association under the auspices of Major League Baseball in holding a clinic for high school pitchers, catchers and coaches at National Taiwan Sport University's Taoyuan Campus in Taipei, Taiwan from January 7-11.

As the Yankees' first-ever large-scale outreach in Taiwan, the clinic represents the latest Yankees-led initiative in cultivating baseball talent and increasing brand recognition in Asia and the greater international community.

"This clinic serves as another step in the outreach and integration of baseball throughout the international community," said Yankees President Randy Levine. "The Yankees organization is recognized around the world, and we are confident this important event will leave a positive imprint on our countless fans in Taiwan."

Led by five members of the Yankees' player development staff in Tampa, Fla., the five-day clinic will focus on pitching and catching fundamentals and philosophy. Yankees representatives will include special Assistant Pat McMahon, Extended Spring Training Pitching Coach Carlos Chantres, Assistant Director of Baseball Operations Eric Schmitt, Catching Coordinator Julio Mosquera and Strength and Conditioning Coordinator Mike Wickland. Taiwanese participants include 40 pitchers, 10 catchers and 20 coaches, all from the high school level.

"Taiwan has given the Yankees one of its brightest stars in Chien-Ming Wang," said Yankees Senior Vice President and General Manager Brian Cashman. "We hope that this clinic demonstrates our deep respect and appreciation for a place that has given us such a talented player."

The Chinese Taipei Baseball Association oversees all amateur baseball in Taiwan and organizes their Olympic and World Baseball Classic teams. Their interest in working with the Yankees is natural given the club's huge following in Taiwan, which is largely due to the success of Wang, a two-time 19-game winner and Tainan, Taiwan native.