Taiwan: where baseball is life—and the cheer squad is half the reason you show up.
Where home runs come with bubble tea and mascots dance better than you do
If you thought Taiwan was all about bubble tea, night markets, and scooters whizzing past red lights like it’s an Olympic sport—well, you’re not wrong. But there’s another deep-rooted passion in this vibrant nation that hits harder than a fastball to the ribs: baseball.
Yes, baseball. Taiwan doesn’t just play it—it lives it. The sport is as much a part of local culture as pineapple cakes and awkward karaoke duets. Whether you’re a sports nut or just tagging along for the snacks, watching a baseball game in Taiwan is an experience you won’t forget—unless you’re hit by a foul ball and lose your memory.
A Brief History, Because We’re Responsible Bloggers
Taiwan’s love affair with baseball began during Japanese rule in the early 20th century. It grew steadily, then BOOM—Taiwanese teams started dominating youth tournaments like the Little League World Series in the 1970s and 1980s. Suddenly, baseball wasn’t just a game. It was national pride wrapped in a glove and sprinkled with sunflower seed shells.
Today, Taiwan has its own professional league: the CPBL (Chinese Professional Baseball League). Don’t be fooled by its modest size—this league packs more drama than a Taiwanese soap opera. Five teams, endless rivalries, and more mascots per square meter than Disneyland on a sugar rush.
CPBL Teams: The Drama Kings of the Diamond
Let’s meet the stars of this baseball soap opera:
+ Rakuten Monkeys – Based in Taoyuan, they’re flashy, fun, and come with cheerleaders who could start a fitness cult.
+ CTBC Brothers – The fan-favorite from Taichung, known for their iconic yellow uniforms and loyal fanbase that chants like they’re summoning ancient spirits.
+ Uni-Lions – Tainan’s pride. Their mascot is a lion. Their fans? Fierce. Their snack game? Top tier.
+ Wei Chuan Dragons – Reborn from the ashes like a spicy dumpling phoenix, these guys are back after a long hiatus and looking to stir the pot.
+ Fubon Guardians – Taipei’s blue warriors. You’ll find serious baseball here… and people who take foam fingers very seriously.
2024: A Year of Baseball Glory
2024 was a banner year for Taiwanese baseball, with triumphs both domestically and internationally:
+ CTBC Brothers clinched their 10th CPBL championship by defeating the Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions 4–1 in the Taiwan Series. This victory tied them with the Lions for the most titles in league history.
+ Team Taiwan made history by winning their first-ever major international baseball title at the WBSC Premier12 tournament. They shut out world No. 1 Japan 4–0 in the final at the Tokyo Dome. The victory sparked nationwide celebrations—ticker-tape parade, fireworks, and even a fighter jet escort for the returning champs.
Game Day in Taiwan: Not Your Average Ballpark
A baseball game in Taiwan is like a party, a concert, and a sports event all rolled into one. The music never stops. Literally. There is always a drumbeat, a trumpet, or someone chanting in the background. You might come to watch baseball, but you’ll stay for the synchronized cheering and the snack vendors yelling things you don’t understand but still want to buy.
Pro tip: Don’t sit too close to the cheerleaders unless you want to end up in someone’s Instagram story looking confused and rhythmically challenged.
Cheerleaders: The Real MVPs of the Game (Move Over, Pitchers)
If you thought baseball was all about the players—think again. In Taiwan, the cheerleaders are celebrities in their own right. Every team has a cheer squad that brings next-level energy with coordinated dances, nonstop chanting, and glitter that could be seen from space.
These cheerleaders lead the entire stadium in chants for every batter. The choreography is tight. The costumes? Always on point. And yes—some cheerleaders become influencers with fan clubs bigger than the teams they represent.
Fans join in without missing a beat. It’s like watching a baseball musical where everyone knows the routine. Lost? Just clap, jump, and shout when others do. You’ll fit right in.
The Mascots Deserve Their Own Netflix Show
Each team has multiple mascots. Not one. Not two. Multiple. And they’re not just for waving at kids. These mascots are elite-level entertainers. They dance. They tease the other team. They stage mini-dramas on the sidelines that could win a Golden Bell Award.
You haven’t truly experienced CPBL baseball until you’ve seen a dinosaur and a lion mascot reenact a sword fight while twerking to stadium beats.
Baseball Snacks: Come Hungry or Regret Everything
Forget peanuts and hot dogs. Taiwanese stadium snacks are on another level. Think bento boxes with fried chicken, braised pork rice, grilled squid, stinky tofu (only for the brave), and of course, bubble tea. Yes, it’s perfectly acceptable to scream “STRIKE THREE!” with tapioca pearls stuck in your straw.
Local Legends: Heroes with Bats
Taiwan has produced international baseball stars like:
Chien-Ming Wang, former New York Yankees pitcher and national sweetheart
Chen Wei-Yin, MLB veteran who proved Taiwan exports more than just chips—it exports heat
These athletes are more than sports figures. They’re national icons, frequent TV guests, and spokespeople for products from motor oil to milk tea.
Final Pitch: Why You Should Catch a Game
Even if you can’t tell a curveball from a fishball, a baseball game in Taiwan will charm you. With electric vibes, contagious crowd energy, and the world’s happiest mascots, it’s one of the most fun cultural experiences you can have.
So next time you’re in Taiwan: buy a ticket, grab a bento, and chant like your life depends on it. You might leave with no voice, a new favorite team, and possibly a signed foam finger.
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