Taiwan’s Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) announced the 24-man team roster on February 1, as they will go up against Japan’s All-Stars for the game to be played on March 10 at the Tokyo Dome.
This game is billed as “Samurai Japan vs. CPBL Taiwan”, and will be televised to national audiences.
For this “East Japan Earthquake Relief Baseball Match”, the game is sponsored by Konami, featuring selected all-star players and fans’ favourites from CPBL and Japan’s NPB.
Topping the list is CPBL MVP Lin Hong-Yu (Lamigo), who was the home run and RBI leaders last season.
He is joined by veteran players who have appeared regularly in international tournaments, plus a number of rising young stars.
Team Manager is Lu Wen Sheng, skipper of CPBL champions Uni-President Lions. He said, “We take this game seriously. Only the best performing players are selected. It will not be played like an exhibition game. We know Japan has a very strong team, but we will compete to the end, and aim for a win.”
According to Japanese news reports, 12,000 victims of last March’s disaster will be invited to watch the game at the Tokyo Dome, and part of the revenue will be donated to affected areas to support the reconstruction.
This marquee matchup between Japan and Taiwan’s best pro squads is scheduled for the evening prime time on March 10.
It will be preceded in the afternoon by a game between the All-Japan University team and the All-Industrial Leagues team, as seven players from the disaster affected areas will suit up for this game.
CPBL Taiwan Roster
Pitcher: Lin Yue-Ping (Uni-President), Wang Ching-Ming (Uni-President), Tseng Chao-Hao (Lamigo), Hsu Ming-Chieh (Lamigo), Huang Chin-Chih (Lamigo), Yang Chien-Fu (Sinon), Lin Chih-Wei (Sinon), Shen Yu-Chieh (Sinon)
Catcher: Lin Hong-Yu (Lamigo), Cheng Da-Hong (Sinon), Kao Chih-Kang (Uni-President)
Infield: Lin Yi-Chuan (Sinon), Kao Kuo-Ching (Uni-President), Lin Chih-Sheng (Lamigo), Kuo Yen-Wen (Lamigo), Peng Cheng-Min (Brother), Wang Sheng-Wei (Brother), Chen Chiang-Ho (Brother), Huang Shih-Hao (Brother)
Outfield: Pan Wu-Hsiung (Uni-President), Liu Fu-Hao (Uni-President), Chou Sih-Chih (Brother), Chang Cheng-Wei (Brother), Chang Chien-Ming (Sinon)
