Kaohsiung, Taiwan – The TSG Hawks are gearing up for a pair of exhibition games against Japanese professional teams, marking a significant step in their preparation for the 2025 Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) season. The Hawks will face the OISIX Niigata Albirex on , followed by another contest against an as-yet-unnamed opponent.
The spotlight will be on two high-profile acquisitions for the Hawks: right-handed pitcher Wang Wei-chung and left-handed pitcher Huang Tzu-peng. Both are slated to make their debuts for the team in these international exhibition matchups. Wang Wei-chung is scheduled to start the game against the Albirex, while Huang Tzu-peng will take the mound in the second contest.
The Hawks, established in 2022 as part of the CPBL expansion, spent the 2023 season in the league’s minor league system before making their major league debut in 2024. Their 2024 regular season record was 49 wins and 70 losses, finishing sixth in the league with a .412 winning percentage. The team is owned by Taiwan Steel Group.
These exhibition games represent a valuable opportunity for the Hawks to test their roster against international competition and fine-tune their strategies before the start of the CPBL season. The addition of experienced pitchers like Wang and Huang is expected to bolster the team’s pitching staff and provide a significant boost to their competitiveness.
Huang Tzu-peng’s debut is particularly noteworthy, as he brings a wealth of experience to the Hawks. The games will be played at Chengcing Lake Baseball Stadium in Kaohsiung, providing local fans with a chance to see their new players in action.
The decision to feature Wang and Huang as starting pitchers in these exhibition games underscores the Hawks’ confidence in their ability to contribute immediately. The team is clearly signaling its intent to be a more formidable force in the CPBL this season.
The Hawks’ participation in these international exchange games also highlights the growing baseball ties between Taiwan and both Japan and Korea. These contests provide a platform for cultural exchange and foster a spirit of friendly competition between the leagues.
The upcoming games against Japanese teams follow a recent trend of increased collaboration between the CPBL and professional leagues in East Asia. This collaboration includes player exchanges, coaching clinics and exhibition games, all aimed at raising the overall level of baseball in the region.
The Hawks’ 2025 roster is still taking shape, but the addition of Wang and Huang represents a significant step forward. The team will be looking to build on their 2024 performance and make a stronger push for a playoff berth this season.
The exhibition games are also expected to generate significant local interest in the Hawks and the CPBL. The team is hoping to attract new fans and build a strong following in Kaohsiung and throughout Taiwan.
The Hawks’ management has expressed optimism about the team’s prospects for the 2025 season, citing the improved pitching depth and the addition of several promising young players. They believe that the team has the potential to be a contender in the CPBL.
The games against the Japanese teams will provide a valuable opportunity for the Hawks to assess their strengths and weaknesses and identify areas for improvement. The team will be looking to gain valuable insights into their performance and make adjustments as needed before the start of the regular season.
The Hawks’ participation in these international exhibition games is a testament to the growing popularity of baseball in Taiwan and the increasing competitiveness of the CPBL. The team is committed to providing its fans with exciting and entertaining baseball, and they are confident that they can achieve success in the years to come.
The team’s general manager is Liu Tung-yang, and the current manager is Hong I-chung. The Hawks play their home games at Chengcing Lake Baseball Stadium, a modern facility that can accommodate a large number of fans.
