A Night at the Baseball: It's Not About the Game
The unique "Support Culture" (Ying Yuan) that makes MLB look like a library. Featuring the Fubon Angels and Rakuten Girls.
TL;DR / Quick Summary
The unique "Support Culture" (Ying Yuan) that makes MLB look like a library. Featuring the Fubon Angels and Rakuten Girls.
A Night at the Baseball: It's Not About the Game
If you think baseball is boring, you haven't been to a CPBL (Chinese Professional Baseball League) game in Taiwan. In the US, baseball is a pastoral game of silence interrupted by moments of action. In Taiwan, it is a 3-hour EDM concert interrupted by baseball.
The "Ying Yuan" (Support) Culture
Unlike MLB, where fans sit quietly until a home run is hit, Taiwanese fans scream, dance, and chant for every single pitch. There are cheer captains with microphones, brass bands, and complex hand signals that everyone knows.
The Real Stars: The Cheerleaders
Let's be honest. Half the stadium is looking at the dugout roof, not the field. That's where the cheerleaders perform. Teams like the Fubon Angels and Rakuten Girls are legitimate celebrities. They have more Instagram followers than the players.
- Fubon Angels: Known for high-energy dance routines.
- Rakuten Girls: Imported the K-Pop style.
- Passion Sisters: The cheer squad for the Brotherhood Elephants.
How to Attend
- Tickets: Buy them at any 7-11 (ibon machine) or FamiPort.
- Seating: Use the "Hot Zone" (Re Qu) if you want to be near the cheerleaders and scream yourself hoarse. Pick the "Infield" (Nei Ye) for a calmer view.
- Food: Unlike US stadiums with expensive hot dogs, you can bring your own food! Or buy bento boxes inside. Note: Beer is cheap.
The Verdict
It doesn't matter if you understand the rules. Just buy a ticket, grab a beer, and follow the guy with the microphone. It is the most fun you can have in Taiwan for under 500 NTD.
