Villages adapt to changing times

In 2018, the village authorities spent 8 million yuan ($1.15 million) on constructing the baseball facilities. A training area of more than 24,000 square meters is available for a total of 10 local primary and middle schools.

In addition to holding physical exercise classes, professional coaches train players who are hoping some day to play baseball at international level.

In recent years, Xujiadai has hosted a dozen baseball matches, including several at national level. It has also become a national baseball training venue for teenagers.

Interest in the sport has drawn tourists to the area to try their hand at baseball and enjoy the scenic countryside.

Farm parks and homestays have been developed to better meet travelers' needs, while businesses manufacturing baseball bags, caps and related cultural items are operating in Xujiadai.

Fang Xi, who runs a private art gallery and a restaurant, said, "I was immediately drawn to the countryside and decided to settle in the village."

Hailing from downtown Pinghu, Fang first visited Xujiadai in 2019, and invited her friends to play baseball with villagers. "Baseball has been a great diversion for all of us," she said.

Fang said her restaurant often caters to more than 100 guests during weekends, when the parking lot is full.

More than 30 villagers have received dividends from shares in her business. "This business mode is great, and I feel as though I genuinely fit in with the village," Fang said.

The village authorities have launched a rural tourism company — encouraging locals to invest in this business, which has become a major source of income.

"We give low-income households the first refusal on shares," Liu said.

In recent years, the local economy has expanded annually by more than 50 percent, and the tourism company's yearly business turnover exceeds 10 million yuan.