台灣棒球長期以來在國際舞台上被視為實力不足，尤其面對日本、韓國和古巴等傳統強權，總是顯得相形見絀。然而，在2024年的世界12強棒球賽中，台灣以超級黑馬的表現擊敗日本，奪得冠軍，創下歷史。這次的勝利背後，是多重因素交織的結果。

回顧過去，台灣棒球的發展有著明顯的弱點，即便曾擁有如郭泓志、王建民、曹錦輝和陳金鋒等大聯盟級別的選手，仍難以在成棒國際賽事中奪冠。其主要原因在於打擊和守備的不足。在過往的比賽中，台灣打者常常無法有效應對日韓投手時速145公里以上的快速球，面對這類投球，不是揮棒落空就是站著被三振。而在守備端，只要場上出現跑者，低級失誤似乎成慣例，經常導致單局大幅失分，使得比賽早早結束。

然而，這次的中華隊在投打兩端都展現前所未有的強大實力，彷彿脫胎換骨一般。首先，打者的表現令人耳目一新。通過詳細的情資蒐集，台灣隊對韓日投手的配球模式和投球節奏有深入掌握，不再如過去般憑直覺猜測球種，而是運用策略性攻擊。這使得台灣打者面對快速球時也能穩定擊球，形成有效進攻。同時，在守備上，球員對飛球落點的判斷更加精準，經常上演高難度的守備美技，成功阻止對手的得分機會，展現出一支成熟球隊應有的穩定性。

台灣教練團的臨場調度更是勝利的關鍵之一。他們採用類似於2024年奪得世界大賽冠軍的洛杉磯道奇隊的策略—投手車輪戰。這種調度方式不僅減少對手打者熟悉球路的機會，還讓對方陷入憑經驗猜測球種的困境，最終成效顯著。

相比之下，日本與韓國的表現則顯得有些輕敵。他們過度依賴過往成功的打法，認為只要憑藉高速球與積極盜壘就能輕鬆擊敗台灣，卻未料到台灣已經不再是昔日的隊伍。日本與韓國缺乏對台灣進步的充分認識，在情資蒐集上也顯得不足，導致無法及時應對台灣的戰術調整，最終招致敗北。

儘管這次奪冠展現台灣棒球的潛力，但長期而言，台灣在養成制度與球員自律性上的不足仍是需要面對的挑戰。日本與韓國的球員養成體系能穩定培育出有能力挑戰大聯盟的選手，而台灣的成功多仰賴旅日或美國小聯盟培養出來的球員。這種模式固然能帶來短期成果，但無法為提供長久穩定的競爭力。此外，台灣球員在訓練態度和自律性上也與日韓存在差距，這些問題都需要時間和系統性的改善。

這次奪冠雖然不代表台灣的整體實力已經超越日本與韓國，但卻證明在單場決勝的賽事中，只要戰術得當，台灣同樣能擊敗強敵。這場勝利既是對台灣棒球的一次振奮，也是對未來努力方向的提醒。只有持續精進基礎建設和養成體系，台灣棒球才能在世界舞台上保持長期的競爭力。

Why Did Taiwan Win the World Baseball Classic 12?

For a long time, Taiwan’s baseball prowess has been viewed as lacking on the international stage, particularly when facing traditional powerhouses such as Japan, South Korea, and Cuba. However, in the 2024 World Baseball Classic 12, Taiwan shocked the world with a stunning underdog performance, defeating Japan to claim the championship and make history. This monumental victory was the result of several intertwined factors.

Looking back, Taiwanese baseball development had clear shortcomings. Even with Major League Baseball-caliber players such as Kuo Hong-Chih, Wang Chien-Ming, Tsao Chin-Hui, and Chen Chin-Feng, Taiwan still struggled to secure championships in senior-level international tournaments. The primary issues lay in both batting and fielding. Historically, Taiwanese batters often struggled against Japanese and Korean pitchers who could deliver fastballs exceeding 145 km/h. In these situations, batters frequently either swung and missed or were struck out looking. On defense, low-level errors when runners were on base were common, leading to disastrous multi-run innings and early game collapses.

This time, however, Taiwan’s team exhibited unprecedented strength in both pitching and hitting, resembling a team transformed. Batters showcased a refreshing performance that caught everyone’s attention. By gathering comprehensive intelligence, Taiwan gained a deep understanding of the pitching patterns and rhythms of Korean and Japanese pitchers. Unlike in the past, when batters relied on guesswork to anticipate pitches, they employed strategic approaches at the plate. As a result, Taiwanese batters consistently made solid contact, even against fastballs, turning opportunities into effective offensive drives. Meanwhile, on defense, players displayed exceptional precision in judging fly ball trajectories, frequently making highlight-reel plays that stifled opponents’ scoring chances, demonstrating the stability expected of a seasoned team.

The Taiwanese coaching staff’s in-game adjustments were another key to victory. They adopted a pitching strategy similar to that of the 2024 World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers: a “bullpen game” approach. This strategy rotated pitchers frequently, preventing opposing batters from growing familiar with any single pitcher’s repertoire. This left opponents guessing and relying on instincts to anticipate pitches, a tactic that ultimately proved highly effective.

In contrast, Japan and South Korea appeared to underestimate Taiwan. They relied heavily on their historically successful tactics, assuming that high-velocity pitches and aggressive base stealing would suffice to secure easy wins against Taiwan. They failed to anticipate Taiwan’s transformation into a formidable opponent. Additionally, their lack of thorough preparation and intelligence gathering about Taiwan’s improvements left them unable to adjust during the games, culminating in their defeat.

While this championship highlights Taiwan’s baseball potential, long-term challenges remain, particularly in player development systems and discipline. Japan and South Korea have well-established systems that consistently produce players capable of competing in Major League Baseball. In contrast, Taiwan’s success largely depends on players trained in Japan’s NPB or America’s minor leagues. While effective in the short term, this model cannot provide sustainable competitiveness. Moreover, Taiwanese players often lag behind their Japanese and Korean counterparts in training discipline and self-regulation, issues that require systemic and long-term solutions.

Though this championship does not necessarily signify that Taiwan has surpassed Japan or South Korea in overall strength, it proves that with the right strategies, Taiwan can defeat even the strongest opponents in decisive games. This victory serves as both an inspiration for Taiwanese baseball and a reminder of the areas requiring further effort. Only by continuously improving infrastructure and player development systems can Taiwan maintain its competitiveness on the global stage over the long haul.

照片:DALLE3