Mariners, Major Leagues Look to China

Aug. 23 -- Wang Chao grinned when he saw the Seattle Mariners jersey with his name on it. He smiled as he worked out in the bullpen at Safeco Field. He positively glowed as he watched his first major league game, a blowout in which the Mariners trounced their opponents 16-1.

China, meanwhile, cried foul.

The 16-year-old Wang, signed to a 2002 contract, is set to become the first mainland Chinese player to join a Major League Baseball organization. This does not sit well with the Chinese Baseball Association, baseball's governing body in the People's Republic of China, which claims it was not informed of the negotiations and had not given Wang clearance to play in the United States.

An association spokesperson told The Associated Press on Thursday that Wang is still under a 12-year contract with a Beijing team, and said the Mariners "acted unethically" when they signed him.

According to Shen Wei, secretary general of the association, Wang is also registered as a member of China's national baseball team and may be obligated to play in games for them later this year.

"No matter what country you go to to find players, you still need to follow procedures," Shen told ABCNEWS.com.

Two-Sided Game

These complaints are somewhat perplexing to the Mariners front office, which is nevertheless standing by its boy. Wang headed to Peoria after Thursday's game to prepare for fall instructional league training.

Mariners Pacific Rim scouting director Ted Heid insists the Mariners followed all the rules in acquiring Wang. The Lucheng Baseball Academy, where Wang was enrolled, has released him of all obligations, he said.

Furthermore, says Heid, Wang's parents, both successful Chinese athletes, directly informed the Chinese Baseball Association of their son's intent to move.

"We went through every hoop," he says.

International Affair

In spite of the controversy, the signing of Wang may be a shot in the arm for Chinese baseball.

The Chinese Baseball Association, plagued by local disinterest and a lack of resources, is still struggling to put together a professional league.