Taiwan Baseball: A National Pastime

Baseball is a beloved sport in Taiwan with a rich history and passionate fans. In this blog, we’ll explore all things Taiwan baseball from the Top Players to the Teams to Watch out for.

Introduction

Baseball has been a part of Taiwan’s culture for over a hundred years, and it is one of the most popular sports in the country. Taiwan’s Professional Baseball League the Chinese Professional Baseball League was founded in 1990 and currently consists of four teams. Baseball is also widely played at the amateur level, with many schools and universities offering baseball programs.

History

Baseball in Taiwan can trace its origins back to 1874, when American sailors on a ship stationed in Taiwan began playing the game. It quickly became popular among the local Taiwanese people, who began playing it themselves. By the early 20th century, baseball was widely played in Taiwan and had become a popular spectator sport.

In 1922, the first professional baseball league in Taiwan was established, and in 1932, the Taiwanese national baseball team was founded. The team would go on to have great success in international competitions, winning gold medals at the Asian baseball Championships in 1961 and 1973.

Today, baseball remains one of the most popular sports in Taiwan, with professional leagues and hundreds of amateur teams. The national team is still highly competitive on the international stage, regularly qualifying for the World Baseball Classic

The teams

There are four professional baseball teams in Taiwan: the Uni-President Lions, the Lamigo Monkeys, the Chinatrust Brothers, and the Fubon Guardians.

The Lamigo Monkeys and the Uni-President Lions are the most successful teams in Taiwan, with each team winning nine championships. The Chinatrust Brothers have won three championships, while the Fubon Guardians have yet to win a title.

The players

Since the professionalization of Taiwanese baseball in 1997, the sport has seen a surge in popularity, with die-hard fans fanaticizing over their favorite teams and players. Although there are only four teams in the league, fans have no shortage of players to support – each team is made up of 28 active players, including both local and foreign talent.

The fans

In Taiwan, baseball is more than just a sport – it’s a national pastime. The fans are some of the most passionate and dedicated in the world, and they play a big role in making Taiwanese baseball so special.

There are two main types of fans in Taiwan: the “Kancho” and the “Tai-kiki.” The Kancho are the diehard fans who follow their team no matter what. They are the ones who paint their faces, wave flags, and sing songs throughout the game. The Tai-kiki are more casual fans who only go to games when their team is doing well.

No matter what type of fan you are, there is one rule that everyone must follow: never, ever leave early! It doesn’t matter if your team is losing by 10 runs – you stay until the final out. That’s just how it’s done in Taiwan.

If you really want to experience Taiwanese baseball, there’s no better way than to go to a game and soak up all the atmosphere. The fans will make you feel like part of the family, and you’ll never forget your time at the ballpark.

The stadiums

Taiwan has eight professional baseball teams all of which play in publicly-funded stadiums. The most popular team is the Lamigo Monkeys, who play in Taichung. Other teams include the Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions, the Chinatrust Brothers, the Fubon Guardians, and the Rakuten Eagles.

The Taiwanese baseball league is known for its passionate fans, who often paint their faces and wave flags in support of their team. One of the most popular activities at a baseball game is betting on the outcome, and many fans take part in this activity.

The media

Like in many places, the media plays a significant role in baseball in Taiwan. Reporters and commentators often have exaggerated accounts of players and games. For example, a player may be praised for his batting skills, but criticized for his defense.

The future

While baseball may not be as popular in Taiwan as it once was, the sport still has a strong following among Taiwanese people. In recent years Taiwan’s Professional Baseball League has seen an influx of foreign players, which has helped to raise the level of play. Additionally, the Taiwanese National Team has had success in international competitions, including the World Baseball Classic With these positive developments, it is possible that baseball could once again become a major part of Taiwanese culture.

Conclusion

In conclusion, baseball is a hugely popular sport in Taiwan and has a long and rich history dating back to the Japanese colonial period. Today, the sport is played at all levels of society, from amateur leagues to professional teams. Taiwan’s top baseball players are highly respected and lauded by fans, and the sport continues to grow in popularity. While there are many different opinions on the best way to play baseball there is no doubt that the sport brings people together and is a cherished part of Taiwanese culture.

References

-Taiwan Baseball Association (台灣棒球協會): https://www.taiwanbaseball.org/index.php
--Chinese Professional Baseball League (中華職業棒球大聯盟): https://www.cpbl.com.tw/
-Wikipedia page on Baseball in Taiwan: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baseball_in_Taiwan
-“The national game of Taiwan is baseball” by Taipei Times: https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/archives/2000/06/18/0000074704