Terminology and answers to common questions about Taiwanese baseball culture.
Part 1: Glossary of Terms
| Term | Pinyin | English Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| 嗆司曲 | Ciang‑si | Rally song. Played when the home team has runners in scoring position. The whole stadium stands, claps, and sings together. |
| 應援 | Yìng yuán | Cheering / fan support. The organized, rhythmic cheering performed by fans throughout the game. |
| 應援團長 | Yìng yuán tuán zhǎng | Cheer captain. A person who leads the crowd with a megaphone, deciding which chant or song to use at each moment. |
| 啦啦隊 | Lā lā duì | Professional cheerleaders. CPBL teams have 6‑10 cheerleaders per game who dance and lead the crowd from a stage. |
| 便當便當 | Bèn dāng bèn dāng | “Bento, bento.” A famous strikeout chant that mimics a bento‑box vendor. Fans shout it when the opposing batter has two strikes. |
| 揮棒落空 | Huī bàng luò kōng | “Swing and miss!” The second line of the strikeout chant, shouted sharply after “Bento, bento.” |
| 全壘打 | Quán lěi dǎ | Home run. |
| 三振 | Sān zhèn | Strikeout. |
| 安打 | Ān dǎ | Hit. |
| 好球 | Hǎo qiú | Strike (good pitch). |
| 壞球 | Huài qiú | Ball. |
| 得分 | Dé fēn | Score / run. |
| 投手 | Tóu shǒu | Pitcher. |
| 打者 | Dǎ zhě | Batter. |
| 教練 | Jiào liàn | Coach. |
| 球迷 | Qiú mí | Fan. |
| 球場 | Qiú chǎng | Stadium / ballpark. |
| 加油 | Jiā yóu | “Let’s go!” / “You can do it!” The most common encouragement shouted during games. |
| 台灣尚勇 | Tái wān shàng yǒng | “Taiwan Strong.” A popular rally song sung by fans during international tournaments. |
| 台式應援 | Tái shì yìng yuán | “Taiwanese‑style cheering.” The unique hybrid of Japanese brass‑band and Korean electronic cheer culture. |
Part 2: Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Do I need to know Chinese to participate in Taiwanese cheering?
A: No. The fun of Taiwanese cheering is that you can learn the rhythms and join in even if you do not understand the words. Many chants use simple, repetitive phrases. For rally songs, you can hum the melody or shout simple words like “Hey!” or “Oh!” while clapping along.
Q2: Are there cheerleaders in Taiwanese baseball?
A: Yes. CPBL teams have professional cheerleading squads (6‑10 members per game). They perform choreographed dances, lead the crowd from a stage, and are major celebrities in Taiwan — some fans attend games specifically to see them.
Q3: How is Taiwanese cheering different from Japanese or Korean cheering?
A:
| Country | Primary Style |
|---|---|
| Japan | Live brass band and drums, very disciplined, fans learn complex songs |
| Korea | Electronic dance music, cheerleaders lead choreographed dances, thundersticks |
| Taiwan | Hybrid — you will hear both live drumming and electronic beats. Cheerleaders are present, but the entire crowd participates, not just a designated section. |
Q4: Do Taiwanese fans use instruments?
A: Before 2013, live brass bands and drums were common. Today, most teams use electronic music played through stadium speakers (Korean influence). However, some teams or sections still retain live drumming for special occasions.
Q5: When do fans sing rally songs (嗆司曲)?
A: Rally songs are played when the home team has runners in scoring position (typically second or third base). The entire stadium stands up, claps in a coordinated rhythm, and sings or hums along. The song continues until the play ends or the team scores.
Q6: What is the difference between a player chant and a rally song?
A:
| Type | When | Who Leads | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Player chant | Batter approaches home plate | Cheer captain with megaphone | 10‑20 seconds |
| Rally song | Runners in scoring position | Stadium speakers / cheerleaders | 30‑60 seconds |
Q7: Is Taiwanese cheering loud?
A: Very loud. During the 2026 World Baseball Classic in Tokyo, over 40,000 Taiwanese fans filled the Tokyo Dome, and their coordinated chants were described by Japanese media as “earth‑shaking” and “deafening.”
Q8: Can my youth team use Taiwanese cheers?
A: Yes. Many of the chants are simple and can be adapted for any team. See our Resources for Coaches page for free PDF guides and practice routines.
Q9: What is the “Bento Bento” chant?
A: “Bento Bento” is Taiwan’s most famous strikeout chant. The words mimic a bento‑box vendor, but fans shout it when the opposing batter has two strikes. The full chant is:
“Bento, bento — swing and miss!”
It is known for its mocking, sharp, and unified delivery.
Q10: How did Taiwanese cheering become so organized?
A: Taiwanese cheering evolved from Japanese brass‑band traditions (1990‑2012). Then in 2013, the Lamigo Monkeys introduced Korean‑style electronic music and professional cheerleaders, transforming the atmosphere. Over time, Taiwan developed its own hybrid style — louder, faster, and more expressive than either original influence.
Q11: Do all fans participate, or just a specific section?
A: Everyone participates. Unlike American baseball, where a designated “fan section” cheers while others watch, in Taiwan the entire stadium claps, chants, and sings together — from young children to grandparents.
Q12: What is the cheer captain (應援團長)?
A: The cheer captain is a person who stands on a platform or stage, uses a megaphone to lead the crowd, and decides which chant or rally song to use at each moment. They are celebrities — fans know their names and follow their every cue.
Q13: How can I bring Taiwanese cheer culture to my team or league?
A: Contact us at admin@baseballinnovation.org. We offer free resources, virtual workshops, and consultation for youth leagues and schools.
Still Have Questions?
If your question is not answered here, please contact us:
Email: admin@baseballinnovation.org