TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Taipei Dome set another attendance record on Saturday (June 15) as 32,988 people turned out for a game between the Uni-Lions and CTBC Brothers, breaking the single-game attendance record for the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL).
The home team, CTBC Brothers played the first in a string of games against the Rakuten Monkeys on Friday (June 14), which attracted 16,103 spectators.
A spike in attendance may be associated with a CTBC Brother promotional activity done in conjunction with Japan’s Hanshin Tigers. In addition to bringing over the Tiger Girl cheerleading team, several all-star Tiger players made an in-person appearance, per CNA.
Saturday brought Tiger “Ironman" Kanemoto Tomoaki, who appeared before the game. A former outfielder and clean-up hitter, he holds the world record for consecutive games played without missing an inning (1492).
He is also regarded as one of the most accomplished hitters in Japanese professional baseball history. His 476 career home runs are the most by a left-handed hitter.
The Hanshin Tigers home field, Koshien Stadium, is celebrating its centennial, prompting an array of promotional events, such as the current cooperation with CTBC Brothers. Built originally to host high school baseball championships, the stadium with ivy-covered walls represents Japan’s deep and undying love for baseball.
The cross-promotion with the Hanshin Tigers was one reason attendance topped the previous record of 29,688 spectators when the CTBC Brothers hosted the Wei Chuan Dragons on June 1.
