TAIPEI (TVBS News) — President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) celebrated Taiwan's baseball triumphs Thursday (Sept. 4) by welcoming three champion teams to the Office of the President (總統府), Taiwan's presidential palace, in a ceremony honoring their recent victories. He received the Dongyuan Elementary School (東園國小) team, winners of the Little League World Series, Zhongshan Junior High School (中山國中), and the U15 national team, champions of the Asian Youth Baseball Championship. The gathering highlighted Taiwan's growing dominance in international youth baseball competitions.
President Lai announced the release of a commemorative stamp and folder to honor Dongyuan Elementary School, recognizing these young athletes as national heroes. Expressing his enthusiasm, he said as a president and a baseball fan, my three wishes are fulfilled today. I am more excited than anyone. He prepared traditional Taiwanese snacks, including guabao, Taiwan's signature pork belly buns, and custom-made egg cakes, to warmly welcome the triumphant teams.
In a gesture of appreciation, President Lai personally handed out egg cakes to each player, who eagerly took selfies with him, humorously asking to look cool. He engaged in a lively discussion with Dongyuan Elementary School coach Luo Cheng-yu (駱政宇), inquiring about the final match, to which Coach Luo nodded affirmatively. The informal atmosphere underscored the president's genuine enthusiasm for Taiwan's baseball achievements and his connection with the young champions. ◼
