With this year’s World Baseball Classic (WBC) already under way, and enthusiasm soaring since Taiwan’s victory in the World Baseball Softball Confederation’s (WBSC) Premier12 in 2024, hoodies emblazoned with the name “Taiwan” have become a ubiquitous presence across the country.
It all started two years ago at a November press conference for the Taiwan-US Premier12 match. Wearing a “Taiwan” hoodie, one of the team’s key players Pan Chieh-kai (潘傑楷) openly introduced himself as “a player from Taiwan.” The hoodie became an overnight sensation, instantly selling out. After defeating Japan in the championship game three days later, captain Chen Chieh-hsien (陳傑憲) excitedly gestured with his hands across his chest. The crowd obliged, filling in the gaps with chants of “Taiwan.” The order frenzy that ensued saw fans waiting up to four months for their hoodies to be delivered. In January, when the team began their first phase of training, players and coaches often appeared together in their “Team Taiwan” hoodies. Unsurprisingly, another buying spree ensued.
The hoodie has also been making the political rounds, and it was sported by President William Lai (賴清德) in a festive maroon for his Lunar New Year’s Eve address in last month. This unreleased Presidential Office branded hoodie has since become a top-level gift, and was received by Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu (韓國瑜) and home run king Sadaharu Oh (王貞治). Oh promised to wear it widely to promote Taiwan upon returning to Japan. Regardless, we are sure to see many Taiwanese baseball fans wearing the hoodies all over Tokyo this week.
Having sold more than 80,000 units in the first buying round, the manufacturer agreed to donate NT$4 million (US$126,271) to grassroots baseball organizations in addition to paying sizeable royalties. It was a boon for their profits, professional league baseball and fans alike. However, the wait time indicated structural problems with the insufficient capacity of local manufacturers. After many years of outsourcing to China, the sudden hit of so many orders at once took time to process. Fortunately, revisions to the business model have benefitted the entire supply chain, bringing labor home and expanding production lines. As the hoodie became a regular stock item and orders stabilized, other products such as jackets and hats bearing the “Taiwan” logo have been produced and launched.
Sensing the market opportunity, local apparel chains have also diversified their product lines featuring Taiwanese elements to include, for example, black bears, bubble tea and sweet potato balls. Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) is a fan, and has often been spotted purchasing such pieces. “Taiwan,” it appears, is good for business, and it is baseball mania that we have to thank for revitalizing our local apparel industry.
Chen Yung-chang is a freelance writer based in Taipei.
Translated By Gilda Knox Streader
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