Hideki Kuriyama: "Taiwan Played with Soul in WBC," Hopes for Co-Prosperity in Asian Baseball

WBC Baseball Classic Key News - Central News Agency (CNA Reporter Hsieh Ching-wen, Taipei, 17th) - Hideki Kuriyama, CBO of the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters, held a seminar today, stating frankly that watching Taiwan's game against South Korea in this year's Classic, he felt they played with soul, transcending technique. He also expressed hope that baseball activities can break down the walls between countries. The "CTBC 60th Anniversary Baseball Special Exhibition" opened today, inviting Hideki Kuriyama, Chief Baseball Officer (CBO) of the NPB's Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters, to Taiwan for a baseball exchange seminar titled "From the Grassroots to World Champion: Development and Decision-Making." During his time as manager of the Fighters, Kuriyama coached Taiwanese stars Yang Dai-Kang and Wang Po-Jung. The Fighters currently also have Taiwanese players such as Ku Lin Jui-Yang, Sun I-Lei, and Lin Chia-Cheng. Kuriyama, who often visits Taiwan for exchange activities, joked that he hardly sees Taiwan as another country, but rather as family. Kuriyama shared that after Taiwan won the 2024 WBSC Premier12, he also came to Taiwan and was moved to see the nation celebrating, filled with the aura of a strong baseball country. Regarding this year's World Baseball Classic (WBC), he said that what he saw from the Taiwanese players in their final game against South Korea went beyond the technical level; it felt like they were playing with their souls. Kuriyama also expressed his hope that not only Taiwan and Japan, but also South Korea and China, will see further development in baseball. He believes baseball activities can break down the walls between countries. Although he mentioned it might be presumptuous for someone in his position to say so, he still hopes everyone can work together to create a co-prosperity sphere for Asian baseball, with a growing fan base and an expanding Asian baseball circle. (Editor: Chen Jen-hua) 1150517