The ROC's professional baseball league has been in action since March 17, and we are now drawing towards the end of the 180 games scheduled for this year. As witnessed by average crowd attendances of 5,000 to 6,000 for each game, blanket daily press coverage, live broadcasts on radio and television, and the fact that even President Lee Teng-hui has visited the stadium to watch games, the professional baseball craze has conquered everybody in Taiwan.
The ROC is the sixth nation in the world to have professional baseball teams (the others being the United States, Japan, Canada, South Korea and Australia). At present there are only four teams. Brother, Wei Chuan, President and Mercuries. Not only have these absorbed the best in local baseball talent, they've even drawn in a number of "alien hot-shots."
In addition to players, coaches, umpires and spectators, the seven-month playing season has also seen file photographer Lin Ming-yuan "shooting away" at every game. Waiting patienthy alongside the field, he has captured a wealth of superb photos recording the highlights of ROC professional baseball's debut year. Here we present a selection of his finest work.
[Picture Caption]
Umpires at professional baseball games take care to make trial decisions before the game, to let the first pitchers of both teams adapt to the umpires' habits.
Mercuries' Jose Moreno grimaces with pain as he collides with Wei Chuan's catcher Chen Yen-cheng while sliding into home plate.
After a safe double, Brother's Hung I-chung raises both arms in a victory gesture; in an interesting coincidence, second base umpire Li Po-ho holds his arms in the air for a break.
Wei Chuan's Lin I-tseng, ROC professional baseball's arch base-stealer, is pursued by President's Cheng Pai-sheng.
As Mercuries pitcher Weng Feng-yu leaves the field for a rest he catches the sleeve of his replacement K'ang Ming-tsai as if passing him an important responsibility.
A fine performance draws applause and cheers.
Fine games draw crowds of baseball fans, filling even the front of the stands; looking up form the photographer's seats numerous pairs of feet seem to hang in the air.
Brother's pitcher Dave Johnson dives to save a dangerous ball.
Mercuries' Jose Moreno takes a mighty swing and breaks his bat.
Mercuries' Louis lglesias a split second after catching the ball.
What joy it is to watch a professional baseball game at Taichung Municipal Baseball Stadium on a summer evening!
The "lucky mascot" of President's cheerleading team consoles forced-out hitter Miguel Roman.
Brother's pitcher Li Wen-chuan strips off in the locker room after practice and cools down with a slice of watermelon.
Wei Chuan's pitcher Huang Ping-yang stands on the low wall in front of the players' locker room autographing baseballs for his fans.
Wei Chuan's second baseman Lo Shih-hsing, avoiding a slide by Mercuries player Lan Wen-ch'eng, leaps and throws to first for a double play.
Since baseball games can often be affected by the weather, the ROC professional Baseball League as sponsors of the games follows local custom by setting out an offering of fruit to the go ds to ensure fine playing conditions.
Mercuries' Jose Moreno grimaces with pain as he collides with Wei Chuan's catcher Chen Yen-cheng while sliding into home plate.
After a safe double, Brother's Hung I-chung raises both arms in a victory gesture; in an interesting coincidence, second base umpire Li Po-ho holds his arms in the air for a break.
Wei Chuan's Lin I-tseng, ROC professional baseball's arch base-stealer, is pursued by President's Cheng Pai-sheng.
As Mercuries pitcher Weng Feng-yu leaves the field for a rest he catches the sleeve of his replacement K'ang Ming-tsai as if passing him an important responsibility.
A fine performance draws applause and cheers.
Fine games draw crowds of baseball fans, filling even the front of the stands; looking up form the photographer's seats numerous pairs of feet seem to hang in the air.
Brother's pitcher Dave Johnson dives to save a dangerous ball.
Mercuries' Jose Moreno takes a mighty swing and breaks his bat.
Mercuries' Louis lglesias a split second after catching the ball.
What joy it is to watch a professional baseball game at Taichung Municipal Baseball Stadium on a summer evening!
The "lucky mascot" of President's cheerleading team consoles forced-out hitter Miguel Roman.
Brother's pitcher Li Wen-chuan strips off in the locker room after practice and cools down with a slice of watermelon.
Wei Chuan's pitcher Huang Ping-yang stands on the low wall in front of the players' locker room autographing baseballs for his fans.
Wei Chuan's second baseman Lo Shih-hsing, avoiding a slide by Mercuries player Lan Wen-ch'eng, leaps and throws to first for a double play.
Since baseball games can often be affected by the weather, the ROC professional Baseball League as sponsors of the games follows local custom by setting out an offering of fruit to the go ds to ensure fine playing conditions.
@List.jpg?w=522&h=410&mode=crop&format=webp&quality=80)