BASEBALL/Former MLB player Wang Chien-ming guest coaches Palau national team

Taipei, April 28 (CNA) CTBC Brothers pitching coach Wang Chien-ming (王建民) served as a guest pitching coach for a day Monday to help Palau's national baseball team get ready for an upcoming regional multi-sport event that includes baseball.

The Palau team is currently in Taiwan as part of a training program organized by National Taiwan Sport University at the behest of Taiwan's Sports Administration to prepare for the 12th quadrennial Pacific Mini Games set for June in the Pacific island-state.

Wang, who starred for the New York Yankees from 2005 to 2008 before a foot injury derailed his career, was featured as a guest pitching coach Monday at the invitation of Sports Administration Director-General Cheng Shih-chung (鄭世忠).

Cheng said Wang offered insights and tips to Palau's pitching staff, while Wang praised Palau's pitchers for having a good foundation, enabling him to focus on more technical details on how to pitch as efficiently as possible.

The Monday program, Wang said, concentrated on the best way to grip the ball, optimizing the throwing motion, and getting as much power as possible from the pivot foot.

Wang also taught the pitchers of Palau his signature sinker that he was known for during his time in the major leagues.

Palauan pitcher Ray Rdialul Rumong, who got some tips from Wang, described that the former Yankee was very detailed in his coaching, saying the session gave pitchers several insights, including how to have better control, Rumong said.

According to Cheng, arranging for Wang to coach the Palauan team was part of a program to give the allied island-state access to Taiwan's abundant baseball resources to further its abilities.

One of the programs' main elements will be to have the Palau national team play against local school teams at all levels to help Palauan players get more game experience and build up their skills, Cheng said.