It’s the annual CPBL All-Star Game weekend here in Taiwan. And for the first time in 28 years, CPBL is bring All-Star Game to the rural east coast of Taiwan.
While it’s nice to visit the east coast of Taiwan, however the state of the Hualien stadium and its field conditions has caused quite a stir amongst players and player’s union. (Read more about Players Union statement here)
Pre-game national anthem at #CPBL 2017 All-Star Game pic.twitter.com/EWSdQw1q8W
— CPBL STATS (@GOCPBL) July 8, 2017
To spice things up a bit, the format for the 2017 ASG is based on age and years of service. Where you have veterans making up the CPBL All-Star White team, while the players under the age of 24 will be represent the CPBL All-Star Red team.
- 2017 CPBL ASG starting line up coverage
- 2017 ASG format explanation
- 2017 ASG new voting system explained
Everybody can be utility players
Since CPBL All-Star Game is meaningless. It’s purely a fan service event, players are simply there to entertain the fans and each others. In CPBL ASG is where you can see your favourite players playing in different defensive positions, trying out funny batting stance and pitching delivery.
Here’s a video of 39-year-old veteran 1st baseman 彭政閔 (Peng Cheng-Min) playing shortstop for the first time in his professional career.
2017 #CPBL ASG only. #CTBros 39-yr-old 彭政閔 (Peng Cheng-Min) veteran as SS for the first time in his career XD pic.twitter.com/RBOp04rBpF
— CPBL STATS (@GOCPBL) July 8, 2017
Just to give you an idea how far veteran white team goes when it comes to rotating their defensive positions.
Everyone can be utility player at 2017 #CPBL All-Star Game XD pic.twitter.com/pJu5ZlL9Xb
— CPBL STATS (@GOCPBL) July 8, 2017
Players having fun in the All-Star Game
In bottom of 7th inning, the rookie red team decided switch it up and make 蔣智賢 (Chiang Chih-Hsien) to bat on the other side of the box. The current CPBL HR champion did not disappoint and drills one over the wall!
Left handed batter 蔣智賢 (Chiang Chih-Hsien) switched to right hand just for fun at the #CPBL All-Star Game and end up hitting a HR! #CTBros pic.twitter.com/Pid59PT1Ix
— CPBL STATS (@GOCPBL) July 8, 2017
After the left handed Chiang Chih-Hsien hits a home run with his right hand. The veteran white team sent former Detroit Tigers LHP 倪福德 (Ni Fu-Te) to the mound.
Instead of throwing from his left, Ni decided to use his right hand to face teammate 高國麟 (Kao Kuo-Lin)! After 2 pitches, Ni have successfully retired Kao with an infield pop-fly.
#Fubon's left handed pitcher 倪福德 (Ni Fu-Te) is using his right hand to pitch in the 2017 #CPBL All-Star Game pic.twitter.com/NFUi1TcmlN
— CPBL STATS (@GOCPBL) July 8, 2017
Walk-off win for team veteran! RBI for 2nd-base bag.
Despite down by 2 in the bottom of the 9th. The CPBL veteran white team shows off their tenacity with 4 hits and end up winning via a walk-off hit that bounced off the 2nd-base bag. The final score CPBL Veteran 10 : CPBL Rookie 9.