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In Taiwan, most baseball players start young—many join elite elementary school programs that feed into top junior high and senior high teams. So what happens if you start late?
Does that mean the dream is out of reach?
◎Photography/ Kang Li-Hong
In 2021,this school club team—with players mostly new to the game, only two hours of daily practice (compared to three for formal sports classes), and a small student body, defied the odds and advanced to the top 32 in the National Junior High School Baseball Softball League for two consecutive years. It’s a feat that’s nothing short of a miracle for a team only six years old.
Coach Lin Jian-Hua, who’s led the team for two years, emphasizes that Pinghe's baseball team isn’t made up of student-athletes from professional sports programs. “Most of our players never trained in elementary school,” he says. “Their bodies and minds aren’t used to high-pressure workouts, but we still use training methods from professional teams. The key is making every session as effective as possible in a short amount of time, gradually building fitness and developing their individual strengths.” He also insists on team members living in the dorms. “Some students come from Hualien City—too far for daily commutes. Living on campus builds independence and team chemistry,” Lin explains.
Pinghe Junior High has only about 70 students. Yet it boasts a one-hectare, professional-grade baseball field—arguably the best among all junior high teams in Hualien.It features bullpens, a synthetic turf batting cage, and breathtaking mountain views. Media once dubbed it “The Field of Dreams” during the 2021 Indigenous Friendship Cup tournament.
Teacher Chang Li-Yun has been instrumental in the team’s success. She helped former coach Yang Qing-Jia build the program from the ground up—literally.Seeing potential in the school’s unused land, Chang wrote a detailed proposal—drawing on both local and international baseball field designs—and submitted it to the county government. To her surprise, the proposal was approved the very next year.
Today,the Pinghe field is one of the main venues forTaiwan’s longest-running non-professional tournament, the Indigenous Friendship Cup.It’s also hosted national senior baseball league games and even served as a venue for the pro team Wei Chuan Dragons’ baseball clinic.
In 2021, Taiwan’s Vice President Lai Ching-te visited the school and expressed hopes of replicating the Pinghe model in other rural communities.
When Coach Lin joined, the facilities were ready, but players weren’t easy to come by.
“Most kids who played baseball in elementary school opt for junior highs with sports programs,” Lin explains.
“At Pinghe, we get maybe three or four new players a year—and they’re starting from zero." With academics to balance and no prior experience, the journey is uphill. “If they’re only here out of interest, they won’t last. It takes real mental strength.”
Coach Lin
As Lin often reminds his players: “Before you beat others on the field, you have to conquer yourself.”
Ma Lin Jia-He, once an overweight kid with no baseball background, used to come in last during fitness drills—but never gave up. Encouraged by his teammates,he’s now a confident cleanup hitter, regularly smashing deep doubles.“Senior Wang Jin-Yong once told me: ‘Never give up. Your effort may not always lead to success—but it will always lead to growth.’ I carry that with me.”
◎Photography/ Kang Li-Hong
Huang Xiang-Yu-Zhe, with great physical tools but no baseball foundation, has worked hard to become a key pitcher and hitter. He even smashed a home run in the 2021 Hualien County Games—the team’s first-ever homer in official competition. “I swung hard at an inside pitch and connected. My first career home run—unreal!”
◎Photography/ Kang Li-Hong
Lin Jing, who only played teeball in elementary school, pitched a complete seven-inning no-hitter with 7 strikeouts in the 2021 national tournament, pushing Pinghe into the second round for the first time ever. “We have so many chances to play real games here. Every one of them makes me better.”
◎Photography/ Kang Li-Hong
Gao Yi-Nuo, a seventh grader and former county team member, once hit a grand slam in elementary school. He’s known for his relentless energy, perfectionist attitude, and never once saying he’s tired. “Pressure and hard work are part of the road to success,” he says. “Coach Lin gives me lots of game time, and I use every opportunity to grow.”
◎Photography/ Kang Li-Hong
Liu Yi-Hong, the only non-Indigenous player on the team, shares, “We used to lose a lot, but the daily training helped me improve, and I gained confidence. I realized that failure isn’t defeat; it’s a step closer to success. I remember one game—we were behind, and I got a clutch hit over the outfielder’s head. That lit a spark. We kept rallying and came back to win the county championship. Baseball helped me find strength I didn’t know I had.”
◎Photography/ Kang Li-Hong
Unlike elite teams that put competition first, Pinghe’s program values balance. While club players may not aim for the pros, they learn discipline, teamwork, and time management—skills that go beyond the field.
CTBC Brothers outfielder Chang Chih-Hao (Aluken Fanu),a successful pro from Hualien once told local players, “Don’t give up on school. Don’t be like me—relying only on baseball to make a living.”That’s why the Indigenous Baseball Development Association (TIBDA), which organizes the Indigenous Friendship Cup, emphasizes education alongside athletic growth.
Chang Li-Yun said::"In recent years, the school promotes reading and critical thinking, and they will not give up learning and preparing for the future."Today, Ma Lin Jia-Wei, won the Chou Szu-Chi Baseball Scholarship three years in a row,helped lead the team to victories,and excels academically
, ranking in the top three of his class.He also shines in public speaking, English contests, and writing competitions."At first, I felt a lot of pressure entering contests. But through repeated practice and experience, I gained confidence and broke through my limits."
Players also learn respect and responsibility. Coach Lin emphasizes character and manners—lessons players carry into daily life. Their deep, 90-degree bows show just how seriously they take those values.
“You’re part of the team,” Coach Lin reminds them. “Whatever you do reflects on all of us.” Even for a school club team, embracing the spirit of sportsmanship in daily life can lead to real transformation.
◎Photography/ Kang Li-Hong
Pan Zhi-Jun joined Pinghe as a ninth grader after struggling in life and school. Returning to baseball helped him find purpose again. “Teachers and classmates are friendly here, and I can understand what’s being taught. I’ve made up my mind—I will graduate.”His homeroom teacher adds:"“He works hard in class, helps others, and has really turned things around.”"Zhi-Jun’s mother is especially moved.For many parents, seeing this kind of change is the ultimate reward. The Ma Lin brothers’ father agrees: “They’ve grown so much since joining the team. Physically stronger, more disciplined, and they still do great in school.”
For young athletes, games are more than just competitions—they’re milestones in personal growth. Though Pinghe finished in the top 32 in 2021, Coach Lin says the players gained something even greater, “Seeing how other teams train helped our students realize the gap—and that motivated them to work even harder.”
◎Photography/ Kang Li-Hong
The ripple effect is real. Pinghe’s success sparked renewed local interest in baseball across Shoufeng Township.Coach Lin said, "Because of the achievements, people in Shoufeng Township have begun to take baseball seriously, which is a great surprise to us!
Principal Mr. Huang said,"Zhuang Zi-Shou, now a senior VP at TSMC, was so inspired by Pinghe’s baseball achievements that he made a generous donation to support the program. Since 2022, every team member has received an annual NT$30,000 scholarship, allowing more passionate players to join without financial burden."
Pinghe Junior High’s baseball story is about more than winning—it’s about how determination, teamwork, and the right support can transform lives. This mountain school built a field, a team, and a culture from scratch, and they’re not done yet. The players welcome new teammates to join them and chase even bigger dreams, proving that even the smallest spark can light the way to something extraordinary.
To learn more, please see the links below:
Hualien Pinghe Junior High School Baseball Team FB
