Lessons from baseball
Carrying the momentum of their World Baseball Softball Confederation Premier12 championship and the expectations of fans across Taiwan, the national team arrived in Tokyo earlier this month for the World Baseball Classic. What followed was far from what anyone anticipated. Not only did Taiwan fail to secure a win in its opening game against Australia, but it suffered a crushing 13–0 defeat to Japan in the second game, which was ended under mercy rules in the seventh inning.
For a society that has long embraced baseball as its “national sport,” the blow was harsh. Yet for adults, the moment offered a powerful, shared sense of loss that can be transformed into a teachable moment for the next generation.
First, it is a reminder not to ignore risk. Even before the tournament began, key players such as Taiwanese-American Jonathon Long and Lee Hao-yu (李灝宇) withdrew due to injuries.
In the game against Australia, team captain Chen Chieh-hsien (陳傑憲) was sidelined after a pitch hit his hand, fracturing a finger.
Life, much like sports, is filled with unpredictable “black swans.” No matter how well prepared we are, uncertainty is always present. What we can teach children is not only the importance of preparation, but also the necessity of contingency planning.
Second, it is a lesson in grace and resilience. Complaining about questionable umpire calls or accusing opponents of intentional hit-by-pitches does nothing to change the outcome. It only reveals a lack of sportsmanship and undermines the motivation to improve.
For young people raised in an era of low birthrates and greater parental attention, they often have fewer opportunities to confront failure. Yet setbacks are essential for growth. Through the challenges faced by Taiwan’s team in this tournament, we can help children understand how to respond to defeat with dignity.
Although Taiwan did not advance past Pool C, the experience has delivered a valuable lesson to all of society. When the storm passes, Taiwan’s passion for baseball will endure.
The responsibility now falls on adults: to seize this moment, to guide and accompany children. In doing so, we can help them learn not just how to watch a game, but how to face the inevitable storms in their own lives.
Lee Chyi-fu
Taipei
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