Indulge in rich Taiwanese culture and entertainment during the Arizona Diamondbacks second annual Taiwanese Heritage Celebration presented by China Airlines on Saturday, September 20, hosted in partnership with Taroko Sports and Taiwan Tourism Administration and supported by ROF International Sports Marketing and the Taiwanese American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Phoenix (TACCGP).
Fans will receive an exclusive D-backs Taiwanese Heritage jersey with the purchase of the Special Event ticket package at dbacks.com/taiwanese.
China Airlines President Mr. Kevin Han Ming Chen and Taiwanese baseball legend Chang Tai-Shan will throw ceremonial first pitches. Tai-Shan cemented his legacy as one of Taiwan’s all-time greats as a seven-time Taiwan Series champion, three-time Gold Glove winner, 2003 MVP and 1996 Rookie of the Year. One of the most prolific hitters in Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) history, he had a .307 career average with 2,100 hits, a league-record 289 home runs and 1,338 RBI.
The evening kicks off with a pregame performance by GENBLUE, a South Korean–Taiwanese K-pop girl group who rose to fame through the reality survival show NEXT GIRLZ. Earlier this year, the group won the K-pop Rookie Award with their official debut single “COCOCO.”
During the game, fans can visit a vibrant array of cultural displays in the upper concourse (section 300) from Taiwanese organizations including ROF International Sports Marketing, the Taiwanese American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Phoenix (TACCGP) and China Airlines**.**
“It is a great honor to throw the ceremonial first pitch at the D-backs’ second annual Taiwanese Heritage Celebration, an event that not only celebrates Taiwan’s rich culture but also marks an important milestone for China Airlines and the city of Phoenix,” said China Airlines President Mr. Kevin Han Ming Chen. “Just as this special evening builds a bridge between communities, beginning December 3, China Airlines will launch nonstop service from Phoenix to Taipei with three round-trip flights per week. With our signature commitment to world-class service, we are proud to strengthen the connection between Phoenix, Taiwan, and destinations beyond.”
ROF International Sports Marketing was vital in organizing the first-ever Taiwanese Heritage Celebration for the Arizona Diamondbacks on September 13, 2024, also marking the first time a Taiwanese sports marketing team has brought the spirit of Taiwan to a Major League Baseball stadium in the United States.
Taiwan Tourism Administration is the official government agency of Taiwan (R.O.C.) responsible for domestic and international tourism policy development and execution. The marketing slogan currently in use for Taiwan is “Waves of Wonder.” The official ambassador of the TTA is OhBear, a cartoon Formosan Black Bear, the national animal of Taiwan.
Taroko Sports, Taiwan's premier sports entertainment brand, offers cutting-edge batting cages, pitching cages, arcades, food, and beverages. Now expanding globally, the company is opening two flagship venues in Chandler and Mesa, Arizona, bringing world-class baseball fun and family entertainment to the Phoenix area.
The Taiwanese American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Phoenix (TACCGP) is proud to return as a supporting partner for the D-backs’ Taiwanese Heritage Celebration in 2025. The nonprofit organization provides a platform to connect Taiwanese businesses, professionals and the community, helping to strengthen and celebrate the ties between Taiwan and Arizona. Through collaboration, cultural exchange and support for business growth, the Chamber fosters meaningful connections and collective success within the Greater Phoenix community.