Introduction
Taiwanese baseball cheering is not random noise. It is organized, rhythmic, and deeply participatory. Unlike Western baseball, where fans primarily watch and react, Taiwanese fans become part of the game — chanting in unison, moving as one, and creating an electric, concert‑like atmosphere that has stunned international audiences .
During the 2026 World Baseball Classic in Tokyo, over 40,000 Taiwanese fans packed the Tokyo Dome on a weekday afternoon, turning the stadium into a sea of blue and drowning out opposing supporters . Japanese media described their coordinated chants and non‑stop energy as “earth‑shaking” . This guide teaches you the key elements of that cheering culture — so you can understand, participate, or even bring it to your own team.
Lesson 1: The Basic Clapping Pattern
What Makes It Different
In Taiwanese stadiums, fans do not clap randomly. They follow structured, synchronized rhythms that change throughout the at‑bat. This creates a unified “wall of sound” that both energizes the home team and pressures opponents .
The Standard Rhythm
The most common pattern is three claps, pause, three claps:
| Beat | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Clap |
| 2 | Clap |
| 3 | Clap |
| (pause) | Brief silence |
| 4 | Clap |
| 5 | Clap |
| 6 | Clap |
“Taiwan baseball fans chant in unison, follow coordinated routines, and support every pitch, creating one of the most exciting baseball atmospheres in the world” .
Practice Method
- Clap slowly: 1‑2‑3 — (wait) — 1‑2‑3
- Gradually increase speed as the pitcher begins his windup
- By the time the ball reaches the plate, your clapping should be fast and intense
Goal: Clap exactly with the fans around you. If you hear a consistent, pounding rhythm, you are doing it right.
Lesson 2: The “Bento Bento” Strikeout Chant
Origin and Meaning
This is Taiwan’s most famous strikeout chant. The words mimic the call of a bento‑box vendor (“Bento! Bento!”), but Taiwanese fans use it to mock a swinging strikeout . It has become one of the most recognizable sounds in international baseball.
Words and Translation
| Line (Pinyin) | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Bèn dāng, bèn dāng | “Bento, bento” |
| Huī bàng luò kōng | “Swing and miss!” |
The Rhythm
Say each line as two quick, sharp beats:
Bèn-dāng, Bèn-dāng — Huī-bàng luò-kōng!
(Clap) (Clap) — (Shout loudly!)When to Use It
- The pitcher has two strikes on the opposing batter
- Shout this as the pitcher winds up for strike three
- The entire stadium joins in — creating a deafening, unified roar
Practice Tip
Start by whispering the rhythm, then build to a full shout. The power comes from everyone acting as one.
Lesson 3: Player‑Specific Chants
How They Work
In Taiwanese baseball, every player has their own personalized chant. Fans learn these chants and perform them whenever that player comes to bat. This is one of the most distinctive features of Taiwan’s cheering culture .
The Simple Template
Most player chants follow a simple, repeatable structure:
| Part | Example |
|---|---|
| Player name (twice) | “Wang! Wang!” |
| Action phrase | “Home run!” |
| Encouragement | “Let’s go, Wang!” |
Full Example
“Wang! Wang! Home run! Let’s go, Wang!”
The chant repeats in rhythm, getting faster and louder as the pitcher winds up.
Practice With Your Own Team
Replace “Wang” with any player’s name:
- “Lin! Lin! Hit a double! Let’s go, Lin!”
- “Chen! Chen! Strike him out! Let’s go, Chen!”
This template allows fans to instantly adapt to any player, while still maintaining the organized, unified feeling that defines Taiwanese cheer culture .
Lesson 4: Rally Songs (嗆司曲 – “Ciang‑si”)
What Is a Rally Song?
A rally song, or “Ciang‑si” (literally “chance song”), is played when the home team has runners in scoring position. When it starts, the entire stadium stands up, claps in a complex rhythm, and sings or hums along .
How to Participate (Even Without Knowing the Words)
Even if you do not understand the lyrics, you can still join in:
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Stand up immediately — everyone else will |
| 2 | Watch the cheerleaders or the fans in front of you for the clapping rhythm |
| 3 | Clap along (even if you miss a beat, keep going) |
| 4 | Hum the melody or repeat short words like “Oh” or “Hey” |
| 5 | Keep the energy high until the song ends or the play resumes |
The Impact
“When Taiwan pitchers struck out stars like Seiya Suzuki, Taiwan baseball fans erupted with a roar described as ‘earth‑shaking’” .
During international tournaments like the WBC, Taiwanese fans have been known to drown out home crowds — transforming neutral stadiums into what feels like a home game .
Lesson 5: The Role of Cheerleaders and Teamwork
Cheerleaders as Leaders
One of the most unique aspects of Taiwanese baseball is the role of professional cheerleaders. Unlike in MLB, where cheerleaders are rare, CPBL teams have dedicated cheer squads (6‑10 members per game) who lead chants, perform choreographed dances, and energize the entire stadium .
During international tournaments like the WBC, these cheer squads travel with the team — ensuring that even in foreign stadiums, the cheers remain perfectly synchronized .
It’s Not Just the Cheerleaders — It’s Everyone
The true power of Taiwanese cheer culture comes from mass participation:
- Fans react to every pitch, not just scoring plays
- They maintain continuous sound from the first inning to the last
- They often outnumber and out‑shout local supporters, even in opponent‑hosted stadiums
During the 2026 WBC, MLB journalist Michael Clair witnessed this firsthand and tweeted his astonishment:
“It’s Thursday lunchtime… Taiwanese fans have nearly filled the Tokyo Dome. The energy is incredible. Just the first inning and it sounds like this — by the 9th, who knows?” .
Lesson 6: How to Practice as a Team
Taiwanese cheering techniques can be adapted for youth teams, international clubs, or any group wanting to build energy and unity.
Team Practice Routine (15 minutes)
| Activity | Duration | Instructions |
|---|---|---|
| Basic clapping rhythm | 3 min | Practice the 3‑clap, pause, 3‑clap pattern as a group |
| “Bento Bento” chant | 3 min | Shout the strikeout chant together, starting soft and building to full volume |
| Create a player chant | 5 min | Choose a player and use the template to build a personalized chant |
| Full simulation | 4 min | Have one person act as the “cheerleader” while the rest practice all three elements together |
Why This Works for Teams
- Builds team chemistry and group identity
- Disrupts opponents during close games
- Creates a hostile environment for visiting teams
- Increases fan engagement — your supporters will have specific things to shout
Summary Table: Key Cheering Elements
| Element | When to Use | How It Sounds |
|---|---|---|
| Basic clap | Throughout the at‑bat, accelerating toward each pitch | Pounding, unified, accelerating |
| “Bento Bento” | 2 strikes on opposing batter | Sharp, mocking, loud, in unison |
| Player chant | When a specific batter approaches the plate | Rhythmic, repetitive, personalized |
| Rally song (Ciang‑si) | Home team has runners in scoring position | Full melody, stadium standing, coordinated clapping |
| Continuous energy | Every pitch, start to finish | Non‑stop sound — never a quiet moment |
What Makes Taiwanese Cheering Different from Other Countries?
| Feature | Taiwan | USA | Japan | Korea |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fans clap in complex rhythms | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Player‑specific chants | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Whole stadium participates | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Professional cheerleaders lead chants | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | Rare | ✅ Yes |
| Continuous sound from first pitch to last | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
Taiwanese cheer culture originally drew influence from Japan, but over time it became louder, faster, and more expressive — evolving its own identity that has surprised and impressed global audiences .
📚 References
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Chosunbiz. (2026, March 5). Taiwan fans turn Tokyo Dome into home stadium for WBC opener. https://prod.chosunbiz.com/en/en-sports/2026/03/05/YFUL5N3CMNA4ZJRLWO4YC52UYY/