Prospecting on the Beautiful Island

As the game of baseball continues to globalize, major league organizations are looking beyond the prospect hotbeds in the Americas. For many organizations, this includes scouting in Taiwan, which 16th-century Portuguese sailors dubbed Formosa, “The Beautiful Island,” owing to its natural fusion of green fields, forest ranges, mountain tops and water bodies.

The San Diego Padres, for example, recently signed Taiwanese pitcher Wen-Hua Sung, who turned 20  in September. Sung, whom the local media dubbed “Junior Hero” when he represented Chinese Taipei in the 2009 Little League World Series finals, also pitched on the 2013 IBAUF under-18 World Cup team.

As the first Asian amateur signee in the club’s 47-year history, Sung said in Mandarin Chinese that it makes him feel “happy because, as the first one, there must be more people in the future…If they have the ability, they can come here.”

This also generates fan interest. When watching other Taiwanese play internationally, “people unite,” the right-hander said. Prior to Sung, other players from the island included Wei-Yin Chen, Chin-Feng Chen, C.C. Lee, Chien-Ming Wang, Chin-Hui Tsao, Hong-Chih Kuo, and Chin-Lung Hu.

Taiwan was introduced to baseball in the late 19th century when it was under Japanese rule, which ended in 1945. As more Taiwanese started playing the sport, it evolved into an activity that united society, creating an environment of admiration for those who excelled at it.

When Sung was younger, Taiwanese interest in the sport spurred his desire to play. His parents are baseball fans and people in his hometown of Taitung City regularly watch games.

Located along Taiwan’s southeastern coast, and encapsulated between mountains on one side and the Pacific Ocean on the other, Taitung has abundant natural resources. It also has a rich aboriginal culture, from which Sung has Amis roots. Taiwan officially recognizes 16 aboriginal ethnic groups and the Amis, who come from fishing backgrounds, are the largest.

Besides being known for its natural landscape and an annual harvest festival, Taitung is also associated with its Maple Leaf baseball team. The Little League team was founded in 1963 when the local school enrollment was fewer than 100 pupils, which limited the player pool. The team’s ingrained legacy of success has further bolstered the sport’s popularity in the region.

Although both places share a passion for baseball, Sung’s life in the U.S. differs from Taiwan. He is still adjusting to the new environment, having arrived in San Diego in July to sign before heading to Peoria, Ariz. for training. “I’m not familiar with here yet,” Sung said.

Even basic communication can be difficult. Although he is studying English, when asked about the biggest challenge in moving to the U.S., he said, “The language, I do not speak it very well.” To assist him, the team hired a full-time interpreter.

Sung resides in the team hotel and on a typical day goes to the team facilities around noon to lift weights before afternoon practices. Afterwards, he watches games all night. His off days are spent playing video games or venturing outside for walks or to buy clothes.

Although he’s taken to hamburgers, the lack of available Asian cuisine has been an adjustment. Specifically, Sung craves thick pork soup noodles, a Taiwanese specialty.

Sung also misses Taiwanese convenience stores, which are 24/7 service providers where customers can pay taxes, purchase concert tickets, deliver packages, book airplane tickets, collect online purchases, and drop off dry-cleaning. Per capita, Taiwan has more convenience stores than any other market. Beyond offering goods and services, they are also a place for friends to meet and congregate.

And although his family supports him playing in the U.S., being away from them is difficult. He does not have friends in California and this lack of a familial and friendship network can be testing. To counter the alienation and exoticism of living in a foreign country, Sung can retreat to the familiarity of the baseball diamond.

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Sung’s baseball abilities were recognized years ago. “Since elementary school, he has been an outstanding pitcher. We noticed him very early,” said Rong-Tang Gong, head coach at the National Taiwan University of Sport, where Sung played one season.

As early as Sung’s freshman year in high school, Gong was in discussions with Sung’s family about his future development and opportunities in college and professional leagues. “His level at that time was very outstanding,” Gong said.

“His mentality is stronger than most players,” Gong added. “He has the ability to control the rhythm of games. And under pressure, he performs well.”

Tai-Chun Yang, a college teammate, had a similar view. He said Sung was reserved and “very focused on pitching. He took it very seriously.” As a result, “On the field, he can dominate the situation,” Yang said.

This mindset was also beneficial in college when Sung experienced a hand injury and had to go through rehabilitation.

Sung is 6-foot-2 and  212 pounds.  According to Gong, his quality curveball and sinker complement his 95-mph fastball. And Gong sees additional upside. “It could get faster,” he guessed.

Although recognizing the effort it takes to make it from Taiwan to the U.S., and from the minors to the majors, Yang believes the new environment will benefit Sung. “I think he will learn a lot from the other players and coaches,” he said.

One person Sung looked up to while growing up and who later provided mentoring is Marlins pitcher Wei-Yin Chen. When Sung moved to the U.S., Chen encouraged him to interact and converse with his teammates more.

And being assertive in discussions with coaches has already been beneficial. Coaches in Taiwan are not typically receptive to players’ opinions, but Sung said that in the U.S., players “can communicate with the coach.”

Although he had options to sign with teams in other countries, Sung said it has always been his goal to make it to America. “In childhood, I saw these players come to America and play ball…This is a dream,” he said.

And his signing has a wider impact. Yang said players like Sung who make it to the highest levels help baseball’s grassroots development on the island. “Reaching this level, it’s what everyone desires,” he said. “It has a significant impact. The conditions and resources Sung has now attract more young talent to the sport because they want to become those famous players.”