Ambassador Tom Chih-Chiang Lee, Director General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office NY, left, speaks with State Rep. Jamie Flick (83rd District) at Volunteer Stadium on opening day of the 2024 Little League World Series. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette
Republican state Rep. Jamie Flick of South Williamsport welcomed Taiwanese diplomat Tom Chih-Chiang Lee to the team’s opening game Wednesday night.
Flick has a long history in the sport: he played for eleven years, from the age of seven to 18.
“I’m a baseball junkie” said Flick, who co-owned the Sydney Blue Sox with this year’s Australian baseball team manager Adam Dobb.
“I started going to the games when I was 9 or 10 years old and have never missed a World Series since,” said Flick.
“I played, refereed, coached and was president of the South Williamsport Little League for ten years,” he explained.
Flick continued his involvement with Little League while serving in the state legislature and on the Committee for Children and Youth and the Tourism Committee.
“For me, it’s a no-brainer to welcome players and their families from all over the world to the Little League World Series,” said Flick.
Four years ago, Flick was sent to Chinese Taipei as a host family.
“I am also a member of the Taiwanese caucus in the House of Representatives and am close to Ambassador Lee and his office in New York City. I was fortunate to meet the Taiwanese President during her visit to America last year,” said the legislator.
The island nation, commonly known as Taiwan, is legally recognized as part of the People’s Republic of China, with its capital in Beijing, under U.S. leadership. “One China” Policy.
Although Lee never played in the World Series, he is no stranger to American history, having competed at the local level for ten years.
“When I was a little boy, her age, I played second baseman and sometimes pitcher,” Said Lee.
His home team’s clash with Canada marks Lee’s first visit to the Williamsport area.
“It’s very beautiful here, and you know, everyone in Taiwan knows Williamsport. We get up very early to watch the games,” he said.
Lee is aware of the competition facing the Kuei-Shan Little League team from Taoyuan City and is optimistic about the team’s chances.
“It’s not easy to play in the World Series, especially now that all the teams are getting stronger,” he said.
“We used to dominate, but that’s over. That’s why I’m glad that so many spectators came to show their support for Taiwan.”
During his stay in the city, Lee also received a tour of the Pennsylvania College of Technology and named the campus, “impressive.”
“We think that in the future we can establish a cooperation between the college and Taiwan so that more students from Taiwan can participate,” he said.
“I am a graduate of Penn College and a former professor there. It was an honor to welcome Ambassador Lee there and give him a tour yesterday,” said Flick.
“I am confident that we can work with Ambassador Lee on the programs at the college,” he said.
And although this is Lee’s first visit to the area, he hopes to return soon.
“Hopefully we can win today and get to the final. And if we play in the final, I will come back,” he said.
Lee’s hope came one step closer to reality when Chinese Taipei defeated Canada 8-0.
