Dai Bocheng Promoted from Training Player to Active Roster, Starts Immediately on First Day in CPBL

(Central News Agency, Reporter Hsieh Ching-Wen, Taipei, June 5) Outfielder Dai Bocheng, who joined the Uni-President 7-ELEVEn Lions of the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) as a self-trained (training) player, was officially registered as a contracted player in May and was called up to the first team today, immediately being placed in the starting lineup. Dai Bocheng laughed and said, "I finished being nervous yesterday. Today, I'm more excited. I hope to show in the first team what I have prepared in the farm system."

Dai Bocheng was not selected by any team in last year's CPBL draft. While playing college baseball for Taipei City University (北市大), he received an offer for a training player contract from the Uni-President Lions. He reported to the team in February after the college league ended, became a registered contracted player on May 20, and was officially promoted to the first team today. In his first career CPBL game, he started as the No. 2 hitter and left fielder.

Lions manager Lin Yueh-Ping explained that the team had originally planned for foreign pitcher Denyi Reyes to pitch on the 3rd and then be sent down the next day, with another foreign pitcher, Jackson Stephens, returning to the first team for the game on the 7th. Since the team has home games at the Taipei Dome this weekend, it was a good opportunity to let Dai Bocheng experience the first team. Lin noted that the farm team coaching staff reported Dai's recent performance was good, and he expects Dai to perform well in the first team.

Dai Bocheng said, "I didn't predict when I would be called up. I just prepared myself in the farm team. I didn't think I would get a starting spot in the first team so quickly."

Dai had been practicing with the team at the Taipei Dome for a few days prior. His previous visit to the Taipei Dome was as a ball boy for the World Masters Games. He said stepping onto the field as a professional player feels completely different. His family will also be attending the game today.

Reflecting on the transition from college to professional baseball, Dai Bocheng said he feels a significant gap in all aspects. Since joining the pros, the coaching staff has given him many tips on hitting, defense, and more. While packing his bags for the promotion, he received a message from farm team manager Liu Yu-Chen, who told him, "Don't overthink it. Just go out there and show what you did in the farm team."

Dai Bocheng's stats in the farm team this season: 32 games played, 110 at-bats, 30 hits (including 1 home run), 2 stolen bases, and a batting average of .273. (Editor: Chen Jen-Hua) 1150605