CPBL Players Enthusiastic About Japanese Assistive Device; Ma Chieh-sen Hits First Home Run After Trying It
The 'Core' assistive device, developed by Japanese manufacturer ReaLine, has become popular among Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) players. Originally for rehabilitation, it's now used for performance enhancement. Ma Chieh-sen hit his first career home run shortly after trying it, attributing improved joint mobility to the device. The trend began after Wu Nien-ting introduced it during the 2026 World Baseball Classic, leading to widespread adoption among coaches and players.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 12, 2026 at 18:45
- 🔍 Collected: April 12, 2026 at 19:00 (15 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 13, 2026 at 10:22 (15h 22m after Collected)
This season, many Chinese Professional Baseball (CPBL) pitchers and fielders are seen using black straps to fix equipment to their chests or hips before warm-ups for torso rotation and stretching. This is the 'Core' assistive device designed by Japanese manufacturer 'ReaLine.' It was originally developed for rehabilitation and later extended to the sports world. Their official website also shares the experience of Shohei Ohtani's wife, Mamiko Tanaka, from her basketball player days using the device.
This season, many Chinese Professional Baseball pitchers and fielders are seen using black straps to fix equipment to their chests or hips before warm-ups for torso rotation and stretching. This is the 'Core' assistive device designed by Japanese manufacturer 'ReaLine.' It was originally developed for rehabilitation and later extended to the sports world. Their official website also shares Mamiko Tanaka's user experience.
Ma Chieh-sen initially saw veterans like Chen Kuan-yu using it and was persuaded by his senior to try, who said: "Chen Chen-wei hit a home run after using it, you should try too." After personally experiencing it, he felt a significant improvement in joint mobility, with batting and throwing feeling lighter, which immediately prompted him to order. He then hit his first career home run the very night he ordered it, leading his senior to playfully tease, "Then you don't need to buy it," to which Ma Chieh-sen replied, "I still need to buy it, because it really helps."
Chen Kuan-yu revealed that this trend originated during this year's World Baseball Classic when Wu Nien-ting brought the equipment to the team, making it a favorite among the coaching staff and players. At that time, including head coach Tseng Hao-chu, coaches Peng Cheng-min and Wang Chien-ming, participated in a group purchase, buying more than 10 sets. Currently, this 'mysterious black belt' has spread throughout various CPBL teams.
Regarding the principle, Ma Chieh-sen stated that although rotation with the chest and hips fixed creates resistance, after removing it, the body feels exceptionally light. Chen Kuan-yu explained that the device guides the body back to the correct alignment, thereby unleashing explosive power. "Whether pitching or hitting, explosive power relies on rotation, and it assists in stretching and reduces sports injuries."
Chen Kuan-yu mentioned that he had seen teammates use it in the latter part of his career in Japanese professional baseball and received continuous positive feedback. Although a set of the equipment costs about NT$30,000, it is not cheap. Currently, the Monkeys' first and second teams both have public sets for pitchers. Chen Kuan-yu said, "It really helps the players, and my greatest sense of accomplishment is Ma Chieh-sen."
This season, many Chinese Professional Baseball pitchers and fielders are seen using black straps to fix equipment to their chests or hips before warm-ups for torso rotation and stretching. This is the 'Core' assistive device designed by Japanese manufacturer 'ReaLine.' It was originally developed for rehabilitation and later extended to the sports world. Their official website also shares Mamiko Tanaka's user experience.
Ma Chieh-sen initially saw veterans like Chen Kuan-yu using it and was persuaded by his senior to try, who said: "Chen Chen-wei hit a home run after using it, you should try too." After personally experiencing it, he felt a significant improvement in joint mobility, with batting and throwing feeling lighter, which immediately prompted him to order. He then hit his first career home run the very night he ordered it, leading his senior to playfully tease, "Then you don't need to buy it," to which Ma Chieh-sen replied, "I still need to buy it, because it really helps."
Chen Kuan-yu revealed that this trend originated during this year's World Baseball Classic when Wu Nien-ting brought the equipment to the team, making it a favorite among the coaching staff and players. At that time, including head coach Tseng Hao-chu, coaches Peng Cheng-min and Wang Chien-ming, participated in a group purchase, buying more than 10 sets. Currently, this 'mysterious black belt' has spread throughout various CPBL teams.
Regarding the principle, Ma Chieh-sen stated that although rotation with the chest and hips fixed creates resistance, after removing it, the body feels exceptionally light. Chen Kuan-yu explained that the device guides the body back to the correct alignment, thereby unleashing explosive power. "Whether pitching or hitting, explosive power relies on rotation, and it assists in stretching and reduces sports injuries."
Chen Kuan-yu mentioned that he had seen teammates use it in the latter part of his career in Japanese professional baseball and received continuous positive feedback. Although a set of the equipment costs about NT$30,000, it is not cheap. Currently, the Monkeys' first and second teams both have public sets for pitchers. Chen Kuan-yu said, "It really helps the players, and my greatest sense of accomplishment is Ma Chieh-sen."