TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan's U-18 baseball team defeated the U.S. in the U-18 Baseball World Cup Super Round on Thursday night (Sept. 7) and celebrated with an Indigenous group dance as two-thirds of the players are Indigenous.

Taipei Tianmu Baseball Stadium saw Taiwan host the tournament for the first time in 10 years. The team's captain Wang Nien-hao (王念好) got Taiwan on the board first with a home run that also enabled fielder Ko Ching-hsien (柯敬賢) to score a run, reported CNA. This put Team Taiwan up 2-0 over the U.S.

Wang Nian-hao takes a swing during matchup with U.S. (CNA photo)

For the first six innings, starting pitcher Chang chun-wei (張峻瑋) used his 153 kph fastball to keep the U.S. scoreless. For the rest of the game, relief pitcher Sun I-lei (孫易磊) continued to keep U.S. hitters at bay.

At the top of the seventh inning, Wang sealed the game by hitting a single up the middle which allowed outfielder Hsu Ting-lun (許庭綸) to reach home plate and score a third and decisive run. This left the final score 3-0.



Wang celebrates hitting two-run homer. (CNA photo)

To celebrate their victory, the team danced and sang. Wang, who is a member of the Amis tribe, was cited by Yahoo Sports as saying that it was originally his idea to hold an Indigenous blessing dance before and after games and the coach agreed.

Wang, who grew up in Taitung and is a native speaker of Amis, said he leads in the singing. When asked about the meaning of the lyrics, he said that "it means celebration" and it helps "everyone feel very relaxed after the game."

Wang's teammates celebrate with him after he hit two-run homer. (CNA photo)

According to the Taiwan Indigenous Baseball Development Association, the U-18 lineup includes 13 members of the Amis tribe and two Bunun members. Among them, Ko Ching-hsien (柯敬賢) is not only of Amis descent but also has South African heritage.

Starting pitcher Lin Wei-en (林維恩), who played against South Korea last week, also has Indigenous ancestry, but he claims to be not very good at dancing. "I'm actually not really familiar with the moves. I just follow along when I see everyone lift up their leg," said Lin.

Starting pitcher Chang Chun-wei throws pitch. (CNA photo)

Journalist Leslie Liao (Twitter @AngryTaiwanman) told Taiwan News that he captured the video after Thursday's game at Taipei Tianmu Baseball Stadium. Team Taiwan's next opponent is the Netherlands, who they will play on Friday (Sept. 8) at 6:30 p.m.

Relief pitcher Sun I-lei takes over. (CNA photo)

Team Taiwan celebrates sealing the win. (CNA photo)

Taiwan's U-18 baseball team celebrates after their win against the U.S. Well done, boys. pic.twitter.com/RQYaZyedtM

— Leslie Liao (@AngryTaiwanman) September 7, 2023