Department of Information and Tourism, Taipei City Government

To commemorate Arbor Day, Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin and Dodgers slugger Manny Ramirez attended a tree-planting ceremony before the first exhibition match on March 12. Hau expressed his hope that Taiwanese baseball will grow and prosper like the young seedling.
The mayor said he believes that among the club members visiting Taiwan, Ramirez is the one attracting the most spotlights. His participation in the Taiwan exhibition games not only makes the matches more exciting, it also allows local fans to witness his friendliness and passion for the sports up close.
He also noted that being a friendly city, the friendliness and hospitality of Taipei’s residents is evident at every corner of this city.
During the event, Hau served as the interpreter for Ramirez, explaining to the visiting guest that March 12 is Arbor Day in Taiwan. Ramirez remarked that he is very happy to visit Taiwan and enjoys the local culture. He also noted that he will consider bringing his family to Taipei for a vacation after this season. His comment brought cheers from the crowds.
The tree-planting event took place at the Expo Hall of the 2010 Taipei International Flora Exposition. The mayor indicated that the seedlings planted at the ceremony are maple trees – one of the best materials for making bats. He hopes that the fortune of local baseball will be as sturdy and trustworthy as maple trees and “hit homeruns”.