Ex-major leaguers headed to Taiwan

WASHINGTON, Jan. 29 (UPI) -- Former major leaguers Barry Larkin and Joe Logan will lead the U.S. State Department's second Sports Envoy program to Taiwan.

The six-day trip to Taipei and Kaohsiung runs from Feb. 1-7, and will include an exhibition baseball game between two Taipei high schools, visits to six baseball clinics and a visit to an orphanage.

In a release late Thursday, the SportsUnited Office of the State Department's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs added Larkin and Logan also will interact with 10 youngsters from Taiwan who visited the United States last September on a Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs SportsUnited program.

Larkin, a 12-time National League all-star shortstop with the Cincinnati Reds, also is managing the U.S. team against Puerto Rico Saturday at the World Baseball Classic in Miami.

The 1995 NL MVP was fifth in balloting for the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Logan pitched briefly for the ex-Montreal Expos.