Jiangsu sweeps Baseball, Softball gold at 15th National Games of China
The baseball and softball competitions of the 15th National Games of the People's Republic of China concluded at the newly built Zhongshan International Baseball & Softball Centre, with Jiangsu Province capturing gold in both disciplines after nine days of top-level competition.
As one of the country’s most prestigious multi-sport events, the National Games once again showcased the depth of Chinese baseball and softball, featuring strong provincial programmes, world-class facilities and new technology that underlined China’s growing investment in the sports.
Softball: Jiangsu edges Liaoning in dramatic final
In a thrilling softball championship game, Jiangsu defeated Liaoning, 4–3, to claim the gold medal. Liaoning secured silver, while Sichuan topped Guangdong, 6–3, in the bronze-medal match.
The final opened with fireworks as a first-inning home run from Xu Jia gave Jiangsu a two-run lead. Liaoning answered immediately with an RBI single from Wang Shuyao to level the score. After a tight defensive battle through the middle innings, veteran Chen Jia delivered a key hit in the fourth to restore Jiangsu’s two-run cushion.
Liaoning slugger Lu Ying narrowed the deficit with a solo homer in the sixth, but Jiangsu’s defence held firm in the final frame to secure the championship.
The nine-day softball tournament underscored the competitive balance across Chinese provincial teams, with all 28 games broadcast live—achieving “zero operational errors,” according to the host broadcaster.
Baseball: Jiangsu repeats as champions with decisive win
In baseball, Jiangsu completed the sweep by defeating Guangdong, 11–2, in the final to repeat as National Games champions. Shanghai earned bronze after edging Beijing, 4–3, in a tense and dramatic contest.
The baseball tournament featured eight teams and delivered nine days of high-quality play, highlighted by emerging young talent across provincial squads.
World-class hosting and historic officiating innovation
The Zhongshan International Baseball & Softball Centre—hosting its first major national event—provided a professional environment with state-of-the-art playing surfaces, upgraded broadcast capabilities and improved spectator facilities.
A landmark moment for the sport came with the successful introduction of video challenges, making the National Games the world’s first domestic softball competition to implement the technology. Umpires were assigned by draw to ensure neutrality, contributing to a record of zero protests, zero appeals and zero disciplinary issues throughout the event.