TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Yomiuri Giants will play two exhibition games in Taiwan next March. The games will feature the Giants facing off against two Taiwanese professional baseball teams: the CTBC Brothers on March 2 and the Rakuten Monkeys on March 3, both games to be held at the Taipei Dome.
Tsukasa Imamura, president of the Giants, launched ticket sales for the upcoming games during a press conference on Tuesday (Dec. 12).
Imamura emphasized the importance of fostering baseball culture in Asia, stating, "If Japanese professional baseball can generate more enthusiasm in Taiwan's baseball community, that would be fantastic."
When asked about the potential addition of more Taiwanese players to the Giants, Imamura revealed that the team's scouts hold Taiwanese high school players in high regard. However, he expressed regret over what he perceived as a stagnation in their skills after reaching college.
The Giants' president expressed hope that Taiwan could produce more legendary players like Kuo Tai-yuan and Kuo Yuen-chih, who have made their mark in Japanese baseball.
Over the years, 10 Taiwanese players, excluding the iconic Wang Chen-chih (also known as Sadaharu Oh), have worn the Giants' uniform and played in Japan's professional leagues, reflecting the ongoing baseball exchange between the two neighboring countries.