TAICHUNG, Taiwan — The Asia Winter Baseball (AWB) pro international league inaugurated its 4th season last week at Taichung Baseball Stadium, as the selection of the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) defeated the Chinese Taipei National Teams reserves, 7-4, in the opening game of the month-long championship.

In addition to last year’s representatives from the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL), Chinese Taipei reserves, the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) and Europe United by WBSC, Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the first time is sending two teams to compete in the Asia Winter Baseball League, which has boosted the young winter league to a record six teams.

One week into the season, NPB West has climbed to the top of the standings with perfect 5-0 record, while NPB East is in second with a 2-1-1 (W-L-D) record. Chinese Taipei and KBO are third in the standings at 2-2-1, while Europe United and CPBL are in last place with one win each.

The AWB clubs will each play 17 games in the regular season before entering the 3-day playoff. After teams with worst two records play the ranking game, teams with best four records will enter a single elimination playoff to decide the pairings for the 3rd Place game and championship finale.

Select AWB games can be viewed online at CPBLTV.com. Check winter.cpbl.com.tw/schedule for game schedules.