Taiwan diplomat, state Rep. Jamie Flick enjoy Little League World Series game together

Ambassador Tom Chih-Chiang Lee Director-General, Taipei Economic and Cultural Office NY, left, talks with State Rep. Jamie Flick (83rd District) at Volunteer Stadium during the opening day of the 2024 Little League World Series.
DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

State Rep. Jamie Flick, R-South Williamsport, welcomed Tom Chih-Chiang Lee, a diplomat from Taiwan, to the team’s inaugural game Wednesday evening.

Flick has a long history with the sport, having played for 11 years from the age of 7 to 18.

“I’m a baseball junkie,” said Flick, who was co-owner of the Sydney Blue Sox, along with the manager of this year’s Australian baseball team, Adam Dobb.

“I started coming to the games at age 9 or 10 and have never missed a World Series since then,” Flick said.

“I played, I umpired, I coached and I was president of South Williamsport Little League for a decade,” he explained.

Flick has continued his dedication to Little League while serving in the state house, serving on the children and youth committee and the tourism committee.

“It is a perfect fit for me to welcome players and their families from around the world to the Little League World Series,” Flick said.

Four years ago, Flick became a host family, assigned to Chinese Taipei.

“I also serve on the Taiwanese caucus in the House of Representatives and have become close with ambassador Lee and his office in New York City and was fortunate enough to meet with the Taiwanese president when she was in America last year,” the lawmaker said.

Commonly known as Taiwan, the island nation is legally recognized as a part of the Peoples’ Republic of China, with its national capital in Beijing, under the U.S.’s “One China” policy.

Though Lee never played in the World Series, he is nonetheless no stranger to America’s past time, having participated at the local level for 10 years.

“When I was a little kid, at their age, I played second base, and sometimes, pitcher,” Lee said.

The match-up between his home team and Canada marks Lee’s first visit to the Williamsport area.

“It’s very beautiful here, and you know, in Taiwan, everybody knows of Williamsport. We get up very early to watch the games,” he said.

Well aware of the competition facing the Kuei-Shan Little League team, of Taoyuan City, Lee is optimistic for the team’s chances.

“It’s not easy to play in the World Series, especially now that all the teams are getting stronger,” he said.

“We used to dominate, but not anymore. That’s why I’m glad that we have so many in the audience that come to show support for Taiwan.”

While in town, Lee also received a tour of Pennsylvania College of Technology, calling the campus, “impressive.”

“We are thinking in the future, we can build some cooperation between the college and Taiwan, so that more students from Taiwan can attend,” he said.

“I’m a graduate of Penn College and a former professor there, and it was an honor to welcome ambassador Lee there and give him a tour yesterday,” Flick said.

“I am confident that we will be able to partner with ambassador Lee on programs at the college,” he said.

And, while this is Lee’s first visit to the area, he hopes for a quick return.

“Hopefully today we can win and advance to the finals, and when we play in the final, I will come back,” he said.

Lee’s hope took one step closer to reality as Chinese Taipei bested Canada in an 8-0 shut out.