New CPBL Commissioner Chi-Chang Tsai aims to expand league, boost Chinese Taipei team for Tokyo Olympic qualifier

New CPBL Commissioner Chi-Chang Tsai aims to expand league, boost Chinese Taipei team for Tokyo Olympic qualifier
19/01/2021
Tsai, who is also a softball fan, said he will look to expand the league and will work with the Chinese Taipei Baseball Association to field the “strongest team” possible for upcoming Tokyo Olympic Final Qualifying Tournament.

TAIPEI, Taiwan -- The Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) executive board and clubs today unanimously elected Chi-Chang Tsai (photo on the right) to serve as the 11th commissioner of Taiwan’s top-tier league. Several political and sports leaders were present for the inauguration, including Vice President William Lai, Chinese Taipei Olympic Committee President Hong-Dow Lin and Chinese Taipei Baseball Association (CTBA) President Jefferey Koo Jr.

World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) President Riccardo Fraccari sent his congratulations to Tsai and said: “I am confident that your extensive political and business experience -- and your love for baseball -- will be invaluable to further growing the league and increasing the positioning of our sport in Taiwan and internationally, following the years of dedication and service of previous CPBL Commissioner John Wu.”

Tsai has already laid out his top three priorities as CPBL Commissioner: “I first would like to expand the economic scale of professional baseball in Taiwan; I’d also like to unite different parties in Taiwan baseball; I will also order to amend the CPBL Constitution and Regulations so it would be clear and reasonable to all parties.”

Tsai also mentioned that he will be working to expand the league and bring in a sixth team.

He also stated that CPBL will work with CTBA and all the clubs to field the “strongest team” possible for the upcoming WBSC Baseball Final Qualifier for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

“We will roll up our sleeves and start to work from tomorrow,” said Commissioner Tsai.

The 51-year-old from Taichung City has a master's degree in history and has been a public servant since he took the office of civil affairs bureau of Taichung County in the late 90s.

In addition to his profound experience with politics, Tsai is also a well-known baseball and softball fan, and has been devoted to the establishment and promotion of the latter. Tsai is the founding chairman of Taichung Softball Committee and the inaugural chairman of Taichung Sports Council Softball Committee. Tsai also served as the co-founder of Taiwan Professional Women’s Softball League, which was inaugurated in 2016.

The CPBL is an Associate Member of the WBSC.


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