Baseball mania returns to TaiwanBy Chen Yun-chang 陳永昌With this year’s World Baseball Classic (WBC) already under way, and enthusiasm soaring since Taiwan’s victory in the World Baseball Softball Confederation’s (WBSC) Premier12 in 2024, hoodies emblazoned with the name “Taiwan” have become a ubiquitous presence across the country. Wearing a “Taiwan” hoodie, one of the team’s key players Pan Chieh-kai (潘傑楷) openly introduced himself as “a player from Taiwan.” The hoodie became an overnight sensation, instantly selling out. In January, when the team began their first phase of training, players and coaches often appeared together in their “Team Taiwan” hoodies. Regardless, we are sure to see many Taiwanese baseball fans wearing the hoodies all over Tokyo this week. “Taiwan,” it appears, is good for business, and it is baseball mania that we have to thank for revitalizing our local apparel industry.

Source: Taipei Times March 07, 2026 17:26 UTC