The first game of the China National Baseball League (CNBL) saw the Tianjin Lions defeat the Beijing Tigers 3-2 at home court, as organizers look to boost the sport's potential market in the world's most populous nation.

With baseball returning to the Olympics next summer in Japan as new IOC rules allow the inclusion of events popular in host countries, Chinese Baseball Association is hoping to expand the sport's profile across the nation.

Tianjin and Beijing are joined by Guangdong and Jiangsu in a four-club professional set-up, which is the smallest in the country, with one squad less than the five-team Chinese Ice Hockey League.

Organizers hope it will catch on with fans excited by plays like Beijing's early home run with the over-the-wall blast in the crowd. 

However, Tianjin's supporters did not bother to fear the worst possible opening day outcome for the home side as their team clinched the victory in the end.

The CNBL made its debut in 2002, but was suspended in 2012 and again in 2017, due to a lack of funding and exposure.

Instead of a week-long tournament, officials have adopted a different approach this year, as the regular season will feature the four teams playing each other three times at home, and three times away, for 18-game schedules over the next seven weeks.

The top two squads will then meet in a best-of-five championship series in October within a format the Chinese Baseball Association think will finally turn out to be to be their long-sought recipe for success.