Thanks to Watch Media Changhua News ｜ Transforming Lives! EASY Sponsors Dong-Shan Elementary School Baseball Team, Encouraging Young Athletes to Swing Confidently Toward Their Future
( WatchMedia Changhua News ) [ Reporter Chen Ya-Fang / Changhua Report ]
Although the baseball team of Dong-Shan Elementary School in Yuanlin City, Changhua County lacks a proper baseball field, the team has delivered outstanding performances and produced several professional baseball players. The Tri-Mountain National Scenic Area Administration and the China Youth Corps Taichung South District Committee organized corporate sponsorships to visit the school today (27th). They donated nearly NT$200,000 worth of baseball equipment and nutritional supplements to the baseball team, hoping that these young, baseball-loving athletes can stay committed to baseball, play boldly, and carve out their own paths in life.
Lee Shih-Hsun, Principal of Dong-Shan Elementary School, stated that the school's baseball team was established over 20 years ago. Currently, fifth and sixth graders form the core strength of the team. Upon graduation, they advance to junior high and high schools across the country that cultivate baseball teams to continue specialized training. Dong-Shan Elementary School has always been a cradle for talented baseball players, with professional stars like Chiang Kuo-Hao (Fubon Guardians), Huang Yung-Chuan (Uni-President Lions), Chang Wei-Chien (Rakuten Monkeys), and Lin Zhi-Gang (Brother Elephants) all coming from this team.
School coach Kuo Chang-Hsin mentioned that more than half of the children currently on the baseball team come from underprivileged backgrounds, including low-income or skip-generation households. Through baseball, the school helps children build a stable and mature mindset, encouraging them to set aspirations early, face challenges bravely, and embrace the never-give-up KANO spirit. Making this determination a part of their daily lives could potentially transform these young people's family situations and alter their destinies, helping them pave a clear way forward in life.
Today's event was more than just a donation ceremony. Taichung Heat Sports also brought its in-store glove workshop to Dong-Shan Elementary School, helping the children repair their worn-out gloves on-site. They passionately taught the kids how to care for and maintain their gear, offering professional, one-stop services from restringing to replacing leather laces. Many children gathered around to learn, their faces lit up with bright, sunny smiles.
A sixth-grade student shared that his glove had become badly worn after more than two years of use. However, because it felt like his own brother, he couldn't bear to throw it away. "I'm so glad a master came to teach us how to mend them so I can keep using it. If my glove breaks in the future, I can fix it myself. Thank you so much to all the uncles and aunts for bringing us these lightweight and durable gloves. We will take better care of them and keep them from getting damaged easily."
The mascot of the popular Japanese sticker character "Usagyuuun," which boasts over 640 million downloads worldwide, also made a personal appearance at Yuanlin Dong-Shan Elementary School today to cheer on the baseball team members. A limited number of spots were made available for the children on the baseball team to participate for free in the "Usagyuuun" charity road run, which will debut in Taichung on August 13th.