CPBL All-Star Game: Kao Chih-Kang to Lead TEAM TAIWAN in Talent Development Mission

The Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) All-Star Games will take place on July 18 and 19 at Taipei Dome. TEAM TAIWAN, formed around the upcoming Asian Professional Baseball Championship (APBC), will be managed by Kao Chih-Kang, Director and Coordinating Coach of the Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions. Today, the 30-player roster, including Li Dong-Ming and Lin Shih-Hsiang, was officially announced, with the goal of unlocking players' potential.

The CPBL All-Star Game will be held at Taipei Dome for the third consecutive year. At today’s press conference, the roster for TEAM TAIWAN—formed in preparation for the APBC at the end of the year—was revealed. TEAM TAIWAN will face off against TEAM STAR, selected by fan voting, with Tseng Hao-Chu serving as TEAM STAR’s manager.

The APBC will be held at Tokyo Dome at the end of this year. Eligibility is restricted to players aged 24 or younger, or with less than three years of professional experience. Each team is allowed three wildcard selections.

The following players were announced for TEAM TAIWAN:

Pitchers: Li Dong-Ming, Lin Tzu-Wei, Lin Shih-Hsiang, Chen Ko-Yi, Liu Chia-Hsiang, Li Chun, Lin Kuan-Cheng, Wei Hung-Liang, Tseng Chia-Hui, Lu Meng-Yang, Li Chao, Lin Chao-En, Kao Wei-Chiang, Huang Chun, Chung Yun-Hua

Catchers: Chang Hsiang, Sung Chia-Hsiang

Infielders: Wang Nien-Hao, Li Hsun-Chieh, Lin Tzu-Hao, Ma Chieh-Sen, Chang Shih-Lun, Chang Jen-Wei, Tseng Tzu-You, Liu Chun-Wei

Outfielders: Sung Cheng-Jui, Wang Yi-Cheng, Lin Chia-Wei, Ho Pin-Shih-Jung, Hsu Ting-Lun

Kao Chih-Kang stated that the selection process took extensive discussion, considering both in-season performance and potential. He emphasized that the players are young and hopes to see what sparks can be ignited when they face experienced seniors in high-pressure games, aiming to bring out their best.

CPBL President Tsai Chi-Chang remarked that this would be his final All-Star Game during his tenure. He noted that the event has evolved into an annual family gathering for Taiwan’s baseball community. This year’s visual theme features a collaboration with Monopoly, a game familiar to people from childhood.

Tsai expressed gratitude to Kao for taking on the role of TEAM TAIWAN manager. He highlighted that while many of these young players may have had international experience in high school or amateur levels, they lack experience at the senior professional level. He hopes Kao will lead this next generation of talent to deliver an exciting 'veterans vs. youth' matchup, offering a fresh competitive dynamic unlike previous years.