Mr. Chen parading in 1969
(Photo by Mr. Chen Hong Pi)
In 1969, when the World Little League Championships was held in Williamsport, each of the eight teams should send a delegate to read out the oath in the opening ceremony. The team leader of the Golden Dragons was Chen Hong-Pi, the script he read was written by Mr. KCH. It said, “I believe in God, and love my country. We will follow the rules of the game no matter victory or defeat. We will do our best and have fair competitions.” At that time, Mr. Chen had no idea that Golden Dragons was to become heroes in the baseball history in Taiwan, and that the ecstasy of winning the WLL championship would disperse the misery of Taiwanese in the international stage.
The Historical Point
Mr. Chen in 6th grade
(Photo by Mr. Chen Hong Pi)
Uncle Chen served as the fifth player of the Golden Dragons. When they had a fight with the Canadian team, he struck a two-bagger and escorted his teammate back to the home base. His hit not only broke the scoreless situation at the 12th inning but also elevates the morale of the whole team, and finally defeated the Canadian team by 5 to 0. When the Golden Dragons returned with the very first World championship, they had missed the high school entrance examination. Madame Chiang, the First Lady, arranged for all the teammates to enter Hwa-Shin High School, freed of tuition and room and board.
Team Leader of Hwa-Shin
The President of BAFO Technology
(Photo by team members)
Hwa-Shin is renowned for its strict discipline The students there had to wash their own clothes and make their own beds. Mr. Chen shared the fond memory of studying in Hwa-Shin with us, too. As Madame Chiang was the founder of the school, if there were left over bakery from the five star Grand Hotel, Hwa-Shin students would have the privilege of having these delicious treats as snack. It was not an easy life for them to study and practice baseball at the same time. The school baseball field was not build after they graduated, other students could only exercise in the corner while the team was practicing. When Uncle Chen had his first game in his senior high school year, he was hit by a wild pitch and took two years to rehabilitate his arm and elbow. Although he recovered, he could not play baseball any more. Nevertheless, he did not become dejected and still worked very hard. Now he is the chairman of the BAFO Technologies Corporation.
Mr. Chen and KCH
With Mr. Chen
(Photo by team members)
He thinks that only a person with great vision like Mr. KCH could boost Taiwan baseball movement at that time. Mr. KCH was able to see how Taiwan baseball had already reached international level when Maple Leave won over Wakayama team and strove to search donations from various parties. Moreover, he considers the foundation’s support to the schools fond of baseball or holding baseball games are totally fit for Mr. Hsieh’s goal. Mr Chen’s words revealed his reminiscence for staying up late, having late night snacks and cheering for the competing teams in World Little League with the fellow countrymen.
Interviewing Mr. Chen Hong Pi
(Source from Mr. Chen Hong Pi, Taiwan Digital Data Base of Baseball)
