From Japanese-era roots in 1906 to the KANO legend and Little League World Series championships. Explore how baseball became Taiwan’s most beloved sport and a source of national pride.
Introduction
Baseball has been played in Taiwan for over 120 years. Introduced during the Japanese colonial era, the sport survived political upheaval, economic transformation, and scandals to become Taiwan’s national sport — the “national ball” (國球).
This page traces the major eras of Taiwanese baseball history, from the first organized team in 1906 to the modern professional era.
Timeline Overview
| Era | Years | Key Events |
|---|---|---|
| Japanese Colonial Era | 1895-1945 | First teams, KANO’s Koshien finals |
| Post-War Era | 1945-1960s | “Eat, watch baseball” becomes daily life |
| Little League Era | 1968-1990s | Red Leaf victory, Williamsport dominance |
| Professional Era | 1990-present | CPBL founded, Olympic medals |
Part 1: Japanese Colonial Era (1895-1945)
The First Teams
Baseball was introduced to Taiwan around 1897, initially played by Japanese bureaucrats and bankers in Taipei . The first official baseball team was formed in 1906 at the Taiwan Governor-General’s National Language School Middle School (today’s Chien Kuo Senior High School). The first organized game was played in March 1906 between this team and the Normal School team, ending in a 5-5 tie .
Soon after, teams formed at Taipei Industrial School (today’s National Taipei University of Technology), Taipei Commercial School, and other institutions. Baseball quickly spread beyond Taipei — by 1910, Tainan had its first teams, and by 1914, Taichung followed .
The Indigenous Teams: Noko (能高團)
In 1921, baseball fan Lin Gui-xing organized local indigenous youth in Hualien into the “Takasago Baseball Team” (高砂棒球隊). Two years later, Japanese officials reorganized the team and renamed it “Noko” (能高團) after Noko Mountain (3,262 meters) .
In 1924, Noko toured western Taiwan, winning five of eight games. Thousands of fans came to watch. The following year, the team toured Japan, proving that indigenous players — with their natural athleticism and fierce spirit — could compete on equal terms . Several Noko players later went to Japan, with pitcher Luo Dao-hou becoming the first Taiwanese player in Japanese professional baseball .
KANO: The Legend (1931)
The most famous team of the colonial era was KANO — short for Kagi (Chiayi) Agriculture and Forestry School. Formed in 1928, the team was a rare mix of Japanese, Han Chinese, and indigenous Taiwanese players .
Under coach Kondo Hyotaro (a former player from Koshien powerhouse Matsuyama Commercial), the team transformed from losers into champions. In 1931, KANO won the island championship and traveled to Japan for the 17th Summer Koshien — Japan’s national high school baseball tournament.
Against all expectations, KANO reached the finals. Ace pitcher Wu Ming-jie threw every game, his fingers bleeding by the last match. Although KANO lost the final 0-4, their courage earned nationwide admiration. The phrase “天下嘉農” — “KANO, champions of the world” — became legendary.
Key KANO players included:
- Wu Ming-jie (吳明捷) — Ace pitcher
- Su Zheng-sheng (蘇正生) — First batter, hit Koshien’s first-ever home run
- Wu Chang-zheng (吳昌征) — Later played in Japanese professional baseball, known as the “Human Bullet Train”
The KANO story was made into a hit 2014 film, Kano, produced by Wei Te-sheng, which brought this inspiring story to a new generation .
Part 2: Post-War Era (1945-1960s)
After World War II and the return of Taiwan to Chinese rule, baseball remained popular. The phrase “呷飽看野球” (“eat full, watch baseball” in Taiwanese Hokkien) described daily life .
During this era, company-sponsored amateur teams flourished. Teams formed at:
- Taiwan Power Company (Taipower)
- Cooperative Bank
- Sugar refineries
- Railways
- The military
The “National Games,” provincial high school championships, and various cup tournaments kept the sport alive and growing .
Part 3: The Little League Era (1968-1990s)
The Red Leaf Shock (1968)
In August 1968, a team of indigenous children from Hongye (Red Leaf) Elementary School in rural Taitung faced the visiting Japanese Wakayama Little League champions. Few gave them a chance. Hongye won both games — including a stunning 7-0 shutout.
Taiwan, isolated and frustrated after leaving the UN, had found a new hero. Overnight, baseball became a national obsession.
Williamsport Dominance (1969-1991)
The following year, the Taichung Golden Dragons (Kink) became Taiwan’s first representative at the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. They won the championship.
Thus began a Golden Age:
| Level | Championships (1969-1991) |
|---|---|
| Little League | 15 titles |
| Junior League (ages 13-14) | 17 titles |
| Senior League (ages 15-16) | 13 titles |
In 1974, Taiwan swept all three divisions — Little League, Junior League, and Senior League — winning the ” Triple Crown.” The government even issued commemorative stamps.
But the enthusiasm came with controversy.
To win, schools recruited star players from across the country, concentrating talent. Many players were older, bigger, and stronger than their international opponents — who were neighborhood kids playing for fun. Critics later argued that dominance at Williamsport came at the cost of athlete well-being and genuine sportsmanship.
Part 4: Adult Baseball & International Success (1980s-1990s)
As the Little League generation grew up, Taiwan began competing at higher levels.
- 1984 Los Angeles Olympics (demonstration sport): Bronze medal
- 1992 Barcelona Olympics (first official baseball tournament): Silver medal
Part 5: Professional Baseball Era (1990-Today)
The Founding of CPBL (1989)
On March 17, 1990, the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) played its first game — the beginning of professional baseball in Taiwan. The Uni-President Lions defeated the Brother Elephants 4-3 in the opener at Taipei Municipal Stadium. Du Fu-ming was the first winning pitcher.
The original four teams were:
| Team | Company |
|---|---|
| Brother Elephants | Brother Hotel |
| Uni-President Lions | Uni-President Enterprises |
| Wei Chuan Dragons | Wei Chuan Foods |
| Mercuries Tigers | Mercuries Trading |
Challenges: Gambling Scandals
The CPBL has faced multiple game-fixing scandals (1997, 2005, 2009). These scandals devastated attendance. In 1997, a rival league (TML) was formed, further splitting the fan base. By 2003, TML merged back into CPBL, but trust was damaged.
The Comeback (2001-Present)
Taiwan co-hosted the 2001 World Cup and won the bronze medal. The national team’s success brought fans back to professional ball.
Recent International Achievements:
- 2024 WBSC Premier12: Champions
- WBSC Rankings: Consistently top 5 globally
- Multiple gold medals at U-12, U-15, U-18 levels
Today, CPBL has six teams, passionate fan support, and a unique hybrid cheer culture that blends Japanese brass-band traditions (pre-2013) with Korean-style electronic music and cheerleaders (post-2013).
Key Takeaways
| Era | What Made It Special |
|---|---|
| Japanese Colonial | KANO’s 1931 Koshien finals — first Taiwanese team to gain national recognition in Japan |
| Post-War | Baseball became part of everyday life |
| Little League Golden Age | Dominance at Williamsport (15 titles) united the nation |
| Professional Era | CPBL (founded 1990) brings baseball to every corner of the island |
Summary
Taiwanese baseball history is a story of resilience. From a colonial import to a national obsession, from Little League domination to professional scandals and recovery, the sport has mirrored Taiwan’s own journey. Today, baseball remains Taiwan’s “national ball” — a source of pride and a bridge to the world.
References
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Morris, A. D. (2024). Colonial project, national game: A history of baseball in Taiwan. University of California Press.
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Wikipedia contributors. (2025). 台灣棒球史 [History of baseball in Taiwan]. In Wikipedia. https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/台灣棒球史 (original page created 2004)