TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks (福岡軟銀鷹隊) arrived in Taiwan on Tuesday (Feb. 24), drawing attention at Taoyuan International Airport (桃園國際機場). The players, dressed in suits and sunglasses, captivated travelers and fans who eagerly captured the moment in photographs. Their arrival marked the beginning of the 2026 Taiwan-Japan Baseball International Exchange Series, scheduled from Wednesday (Feb. 25) to Saturday (Feb. 28) at the Taipei Dome.
The event will feature matchups between the Hawks, the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters (北海道日本火腿鬥士隊), the World Baseball Classic (WBC) Taiwan team, and teams from Taiwan's professional league. Hsu Jo-hsi (徐若熙), a pitcher for the Hawks and a member of the WBC Taiwan team, expressed that his current condition is okay, but remained uncertain about which game he will pitch.
Fans eagerly gathered at the airport's arrival hall to welcome the team, chanting 「Hsu Jo-hsi, go!」 in a lively display of support. Hsu, who will represent the Hawks against the WBC Taiwan team on Thursday (Feb. 26), expressed confidence, stating that he has always been well-prepared.