Taiwan’s Cheerleaders Shine at World Baseball Classic

While Taiwan’s 7-1 loss to Cuba in the World Baseball Classic (WBC) on Sunday dashed hopes of reaching the quarter-finals in Tokyo, the team’s 2-2 record in the opening round exceeded many expectations. Baseball America ranked Taiwan 14th out of the 20 WBC teams, but also noted that the home advantage in Pool A could make them competitive.

Indeed, Taiwan’s victories over the Netherlands and Italy in Taichung, two teams ranked higher by Baseball America, were not just a result of solid play but also due to the electric energy provided by the cheerleaders. As Taiwan hosted the games at Taichung Intercontinental Baseball Stadium, the home crowd, led by the enthusiastic cheer squads, played a pivotal role in lifting the team’s spirit and keeping the momentum alive.

The cheerleaders in Taiwan have long been stars in their own right, and during the WBC, their high-energy performances captivated audiences both in the stadium and online. Matt Monagan, writing for MLB’s website, captured their role perfectly, calling them the “source of all the energy in the ballpark,” as they danced, chanted, and encouraged the crowd for hours at a time.

Travis, a cheer captain for the P.League+’s Taipei Fubon Braves basketball team, spoke about the importance of staying positive for the team, even when the score was not in Taiwan’s favor. “Even when we’re down by 10 runs, I’m not a fan anymore. I’m here to cheer up the fans and keep the energy high,” he said.

Seulgi, another cheerleader who performs for the Hsinchu JKO Lioneers, echoed that sentiment, saying, “When we’re down, we still have to support the team and push ourselves harder to energize the crowd.”

Despite Taiwan’s losses to Panama and Cuba, the cheerleaders’ efforts were essential in maintaining fan support, keeping the stadium vibrant with chants and performances. The real challenge for Taiwan was not just keeping the crowd engaged, but also overcoming the shortcomings in pitching and consistent hitting that were more critical to success.

The impact of Taiwan’s cheerleaders was recognized by both international players and coaches. Netherlands’ manager Hensley Meulens acknowledged the challenge posed by the constant noise and cheering from the Taiwanese fans, noting that it was difficult for some of his players, only two of whom had experienced such an environment before. Similarly, Italy’s coach, former MLB star Mike Piazza, was impressed by the atmosphere created by the cheerleaders, describing it as a “whole different experience” compared to what they were used to.

This high-energy, non-stop cheering is part of a well-established culture in Taiwan, where cheerleaders have been central to the fan experience for years. MLB broadcasts covering the WBC games in Taichung also dedicated more airtime to the cheerleaders, showcasing their importance to the overall atmosphere.

The Taiwanese cheerleading culture is not new. It has even crossed borders, with six cheerleaders from the Rakuten Monkeys recently performing at Citi Field in New York during the Mets’ annual Taiwan Day event. However, not all cheerleading moments in Taiwan have been without controversy. In February, videos of two cheerleaders from the Super Basketball League performing provocative dances during a game sparked outrage online, leading to calls for more appropriate behavior. Nevertheless, the overwhelming presence of cheerleaders at the WBC provided Taiwan with a unique edge.

Yu Chang, a Taiwanese baseball star, expressed his gratitude toward the fans and cheerleaders in a post following Taiwan’s loss. “Our good performance and the cheerleaders’ passion have been seen around the world,” he wrote, acknowledging the crucial role the cheerleaders played in maintaining team morale and keeping the fans engaged.

Taiwan’s cheerleaders, with their lively presence and unrelenting energy, have become more than just entertainers—they are an integral part of the baseball experience, helping Taiwan make its mark on the world stage at the WBC.