The CTBC Brothers of Taiwan’s CPBL terminated the contract of pitcher Hsu Chi-ling after discovering that he concealed a drunk driving crash last year.
In a statement released on Friday, the Brothers said the 26-year-old right-hander failed to report the crash to the team and that the violation came to light only after a court judgement was made public.
According to a ruling issued in April by the Pingtung District Court, Hsu was drinking at a friend’s residence in Pingtung’s Jiuru Township on Sept. 14 last year, leaving early the next morning.
Photo: CNA
At about 6am on Sept. 15, he crashed into a roadside utility pole, overturning his vehicle and injuring himself, the court said. Police administered a breath alcohol test at a hospital and found that Hsu’s blood alcohol level exceeded the legal limit, according to the judgement.
The court sentenced Hsu to five months in prison, which could be commuted to a fine.
On Friday, the Brothers said drunk driving poses a threat to public safety and that Hsu’s failure to disclose the incident was a major breach of team rules and his contract.
Hsu’s contract was terminated immediately, the Brothers said in the press release, adding that the team would seek damages in accordance with the terms of the agreement.
The team did not say why it was unaware of the judgement, which was published by the Pingtung District Court on April 29.
Hsu was selected by the Brothers in the second round of the league’s 2022 draft. Although he was excluded from the club’s protected roster at the end of last season due to financial and disciplinary issues, he remained under contract and made appearances in the CPBL minor league this year.
The CPBL said in a statement yesterday that it would impose disciplinary measures on Hsu.
Citing precedent and its regulations, the CPBL said it would impose the maximum penalty — a 40-game suspension and a fine of NT$440,000 — on Hsu for improper conduct and violation of the league’s drunk driving rules.
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