Baseball and softball are gaining popularity among Chinese youth, with the number of players and fans increasing in recent years. China's 1st Student (Youth) Games, held at Guilin Tourism University, showcased the growing interest in the sport. Slow-pitch softball and Baseball5, a co-ed version of baseball, have contributed to the rise in popularity. Slow Pitch Softball teams have tripled in number in the past three years, and China finished fifth in the Youth Baseball5 World Cup. The inclusion of Baseball5 in the 2026 Dakar Youth Olympic Game as a medal event is expected to further boost its popularity. The China Baseball Association is committed to promoting the sport among Chinese youth. Nine baseball teams and nine softball teams from different cities will compete in this year's games, with Guangzhou, Shanghai, Xinjiang's Shihezi, and Nanjing being the top contenders. Despite being latecomers to the sport, the Nanning youth softball team is determined to make it into the top five. Chinese baseball and softball have seen significant achievements, with the national baseball team defeating Japan at the Asian Games and the female softball team finishing as runners-up. The game of baseball holds cultural significance in China, embodying the goal of coming home. [f58168d7]