Taiwan’s Little League team returns triumphantly from the World Series, and the South Bay Chinese community celebrates its victory.
Taiwan’s Little League team won the Little League World Championship after 29 years. The Cupertino Little League team and the Chinese community in the Bay Area warmly welcomed the championship team to Silicon Valley.
The 2025 Little League World Series championship game was held in Williamsport, Pennsylvania on August 24th. The Taipei Dongyuan Elementary School team defeated the Las Vegas, Nevada, team from the United States, winning the World Series 7-0. Baseball is a beloved sport in Taiwan, from its first Little League World Series victory in 1969 to its unprecedented ten consecutive championships from 1971 to 1981. Including this year’s victory, the team has won a total of 18 championships, the most by a non-US team.
On the evening of August 28, the North American Taiwan Baseball League held a celebration for the championship team at Duan Chunzhen Restaurant in Gushi. The team was led by head coach Lai Minnan, coaches Luo Zhengyu and Lan Zhenyi, and a total of 13 12-year-old boys participated in the competition. Cupertino Little League, Bay Area Little League enthusiasts, and Chinese community members flocked to the event, vying to take photos and communicate with the champion boys. Cupertino Mayor Chiao Liangfang and Fremont United High School District Committee member Kou Huifeng presented certificates of commendation to the championship team.
Lai Min-nan told our reporter that this was his first championship team and he was thrilled to receive the prestigious award. Team member Zhang Chun-bo said, “The opponents were strong, and winning was not easy, but we practiced thoroughly.”
Yan Wei Ting, a Cupertino Little League Board Member, highly praised Lai Min-nan’s coaching skills, saying, “He focuses on training his players’ ability to withstand pressure and develop teamwork.” Another Board Member, Chang Jiarong, noted that on July 10, the Cupertino High School team won the 2025 Northern California State Championship. “Many of our children are Chinese, and the Taiwan Little League provides a valuable role model for them.”
Tracy Kosolcharoen, Cupertino Little League Board Member, said baseball has a history of more than 60 years in Cupertino. “The community has great appreciation for the athleticism, dedication, and teamwork that led to the championship team’s victory.”
Article courtesy of singtaousa.com