Eagles defeat Warriors to open historic Taiwan Pro Women’s Softball League

Post date: Jun 21, 2016 3:53:33 AM

TAIPEI — The first professional women’s softball league in Taiwan was officially launched on Saturday, 18 June, in front of more than 1,000 spectators, as the Nantou Eagles defeated the Caesar Warriors, 12-5, at Youth Park Baseball Stadium to record the first-ever win in Taiwan pro softball history.

The Taiwan Professional Women’s Softball League (softball.tw) was conceptualised approximately two years ago, when Chinese Taipei won a silver medal in softball at Asian Games 2014, in Incheon, South Korea.

The world’s newest pro sports entity has received the support of the Chinese Taipei Olympic Committee as well as Taiwan’s central and local governments, and the private business sector.  The league is being operated by the national governing body, the Chinese Taipei Softball Association, under President J.P. Chen.

Partners

Official league sponsors include:

• • Swiss global finance giant, UBS

  • Taiwan’s largest telecommunications company, Chunghwa Telecom

  • Elite sporting goods manufacturer, Mizuno

  • Taiwan water brand, BJC

  • Environmental protection company, Pao Tai International Enterprise

Coverage

Games are being broadcasted on Taiwan’s premier sports network, VideoLand, and streamed online.

Teams

Four pro clubs have been launched to compete for the top-tier league’s 2016 title:

• 1. Caesar Warriors

  2. Nantou Eagles

  3. Taipei Bears

  4. Wagor Leopards

As part of the opening ceremonies, Honorary TPWSL President Yuan C.C. Tsai, said, “This is a historical step for softball in Taiwan. With the establishment of the professional league, the softball players will extend their playing career.”

Taiwan leaders encouraged the women athletes to aim for the gold medal in softball at the Olympics Games 2020 Tokyo. Women’s softball and men’s baseball have been recommended to be added to the Tokyo 2020 Games, with a final decision expected in August.

At the international level, Chinese Taipei is currently No. 5 in the WBSC Softball World Rankings.