China's national baseball team is in the United States learning the finer points of the game from Major League representatives as part of their preparation for the Beijing Olympics, officials said on Tuesday.

A Chinese delegation of 37 players, coaches and officials is training at Scottsdale (Arizona) Community College under the guidance of manager Jim Lefebvre, a former major leaguer.

China will enter the Olympic baseball competition for the first time next year when it hosts the Games.

China's national team will play five spring training games against minor league teams. Major League baseball has also arranged for China's players to spend time with nine Major League organizations in either Arizona or Florida.

"China's participation as host of the 2008 Olympic Games is an enormous opportunity to increase the visibility of baseball in China," MLB Commissioner Bud Selig said in a statement.

"We hope that Major League baseball's assistance in training the China national team will help China compete well at the Olympics and beyond."

Lefebvre, a former big-league player and manager, has been supplied by Major League baseball to pilot China's national team program since 2003. He is joined by pitching coach Bruce Hurst, a former major leaguer.

(China Daily via Agencies March 15, 2007)