Dongyuan Elementary of Taipei clinches the Little League World Series crown, bringing Taiwan its first title in 29 years. Their inspiring story has touched many, including overseas Taiwanese communities. Before the young athletes flew back to Taiwan from San Francisco, a celebration banquet was held on the evening of August 28. The banquet was filled with excitement, and community leaders even printed copies of the World Journal’s front page from the day of the victory for the players to sign.
Hsio-Chun Lin (left), Chair of the San Francisco Bay Area National Day Committee, poses with Luo Cheng-Yu, coach of Dongyuan Elementary School’s Little League team, in front of a World Journal poster.
The Dongyuan Elementary School Little League team’s journey to the Little League World Series in Williamsport is coming to an end. On August 28, head coach Lai Min-Nan led the team to attend a West Coast celebration banquet, held at Duan’s Kitchen Beef Noodles in Cupertino, Silicon Valley. Soon after the news spread, many overseas Taiwanese and community leaders gathered at the entrance to welcome the team. Elder members of the San Francisco Air Force Dapeng Association even donned their uniforms to salute the young players.
Elder members of the San Francisco Air Force Dapeng Association put on their uniforms to salute the young players.
Lai Min-Nan expressed that winning the championship was incredibly exciting, and everyone is preparing to return home in triumph with joyful hearts. Arriving at the celebration banquet in San Francisco, he felt deeply moved. Having led teams for so many years, he truly felt the affection and support from overseas compatriots. He remarked that the children are very fortunate to be so well cared for, and that winning the championship was a tremendous honor.
He noted that this achievement came with great anticipation from many people. These young players are not only skilled on the field, but their school also places strong emphasis on character and discipline. While the children have indeed gained significant honor this time, he hopes baseball can receive more sustainable development resources. That way, it won’t only be about this championship—perhaps in the future, even more players may have the chance to play in Major League Baseball.
The celebration banquet was held at a distinctly Taiwanese beef noodle restaurant, complete with a Taiwanese snack buffet and freshly made noodles, bringing the team and young athletes the nostalgic flavors of home. Lai Min-Nan shared that after eating mostly “Western food” for over 20 days, he deeply missed Taiwanese cuisine. The moment he got his beef noodle soup, he finished it in one go, praising it as absolutely delicious.
The Dongyuan Elementary School Little League team’s journey to Williamsport is coming to an end. On August 28, head coach Lai Min-Nan led the team to attend a West Coast celebration banquet.
The owner of Duan’s Kitchen Beef Noodles in the U.S. shared that before Dongyuan Elementary School even set out for the tournament, they had already reserved dinner at the restaurant for the night before flying back to Taiwan. Unexpectedly, after winning the championship, the dinner turned into a grand celebration banquet, and he felt honored to be part of it.
The team created a whirlwind of excitement everywhere they went in the San Francisco Bay Area. Coach Luo Cheng-Yu of Dongyuan Elementary’s Little League team became especially popular after he jokingly told the young Taiwanese players during the global broadcast, “I just came up here to look cool.” At the banquet, overseas Taiwanese lined up to take photos with him and the young players, and Luo kept chanting his catchphrase “look cool” to energize the crowd.
Community leaders also presented various creative gifts to the team. Hsio-Chun Lin, Chair of the San Francisco Bay Area National Day Committee, even printed in color the August 25 front page of the World Journal (A1 edition), inviting the coaches and players to sign and pose for photos. This gesture not only highlighted the newspaper’s role in connecting the Chinese community but also served as a historical keepsake.
The August 25 front page (A1) of the World Journal.
Luo Cheng-Yu, the “Handsome Coach” of Dongyuan Elementary School’s Little League team, signs a World Journal poster.
Wen-Tse Chen, founder of the North America Taiwan Baseball Alliance, said that on the 28th, the team was invited by the MLB San Francisco Giants to visit Oracle Park, including the dugout and batting practice areas. Many people eagerly took photos with the young players. After visiting the Hillsborough City Hall on the 29th, the team will be preparing to return to Taiwan.
The Dongyuan Elementary School Little League team’s journey to Williamsport is coming to an end. On the 29th, head coach Lai Min-Nan led the team to attend a West Coast celebration banquet.
The young players of the Dongyuan Elementary School baseball team were delighted to see a feast of Taiwanese food.