At least 500 fans yesterday gathered in Taipei’s Xinyi District to watch a live broadcast of Taiwan’s Pool C opener against Australia at the World Baseball Classic (WBC).
“Team Taiwan, go, go, go,” fans cheered as they watched the game on a large screen at a plaza in Xinyi.
Many were waving national flags and wearing Taiwan baseball jerseys.
Photo: CNA
After the 3-0 loss, Rodman Feng said that Taiwan’s players had “clearly given it their all,” adding that the defeat was “quite unfortunate,” but short tournaments are inherently harder to predict and control.
“More upsetting than the loss itself was seeing captain Chen Chieh-hsien injured. That was a pretty heavy blow for us,” Feng said, referring to Chen’s exit in the top of the sixth inning after being hit on the left hand by a pitch.
A baseball fan since childhood, Feng, 46, said it would be difficult for Taiwan to beat Japan, whose roster is “simply too strong.”
Photo: CNA
He added that victories over the Czech Republic and South Korea would keep Taiwan’s hopes of advancing out of Pool C alive.
Sitting in the front row during the outdoor livestream party, Carrie Lee broke down in tears when the game ended.
The 45-year-old expressed regret, saying that in baseball a tiny margin can often make all the difference.
Photo: CNA
Lee was still encouraged despite the loss, saying that Taiwan’s players never gave up.
She hopes that spirit can “carry over” into today’s game against Japan.
“If everyone stays united, nothing is absolute,” she added.
Describing herself as “a little sad” after catcher Lyle Lin fell short of a home run in the final inning, Jennifer Teng said she nevertheless felt energized as more people joined the livestream party.
“I think people are still paying close attention to Taiwan’s games and are willing to cheer for the country in their own way — I found that very moving,” she said.
Similar parties are set to be held across Taiwan as the team continues their Pool C games through Sunday.
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