TAIPEI (TVBS News) — A brewing controversy has erupted in Taiwan's baseball community after the UNILIONS (統一獅), one of Taiwan's premier professional baseball teams, revealed Tuesday (June 3) that star outfielder Chen Chieh-hsien (陳傑憲), affectionately nicknamed "Captain Taiwan" (台灣隊長) by fans, will fly to the United States on June 28 for a ceremonial first pitch at a Major League Baseball Taiwan Day event. The timing has ignited passionate criticism from supporters, as Chen's overseas appearance coincides with potential championship games in the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL, 中華職棒), Taiwan's highest level professional baseball organization.
In response to the mounting backlash, UNILIONS management issued a statement emphasizing that Chen did not make this decision independently, describing the arrangement as the result of careful coordination between the team, player, and American event organizers. While acknowledging fan concerns about potential impacts on their championship aspirations, team officials highlighted the historic significance of the appearance. Unlike previous Taiwan Day celebrations where Major League Baseball teams collaborated only with Taiwanese cheerleading squads, Chen's participation represents a milestone as the first active CPBL player to receive such an invitation to participate in MLB's cultural outreach program.
Addressing financial concerns, team officials confirmed that Chen would not receive any personal compensation for his appearance, with all travel expenses covered jointly by event organizers and team sponsorships rather than from the outfielder's pocket. The organization has taken extensive measures to minimize physical toll on their star player, booking premium business-class accommodations and assigning a dedicated team trainer to accompany Chen throughout the journey. The outfielder himself has expressed optimism about the opportunity, suggesting that the international exposure could benefit the UNILIONS' global profile while emphasizing his commitment to maintaining peak performance during the championship race.
The franchise has pledged to maintain transparent communication channels with both American event coordinators and their passionate fan base regarding any future international appearances by team members. In their concluding statement, UNILIONS management reiterated their deep appreciation for supporter concerns, acknowledging the delicate balance between international promotional opportunities and the team's competitive obligations during Taiwan's baseball season. "We understand completely that fans want their Captain on the field during crucial games," a team spokesperson noted, while emphasizing the potential long-term benefits of raising the team's international profile. ◼