Standing on the pitcher’s mound for the first time to mark the beginning of the game, Minister Gu said that this is the debut collaboration between HAC and the TSG Hawks to organize a Hakka Day event. From the player jersey design to the cheer songs, the clever integration of Hakka language and culture allowed attending spectators to fully immerse in Hakka enthusiasm and vitality. She also emphasized that such collaboration aims to make Hakka language and culture seen and heard in more occasions.
Minister Gu further mentioned that today’s game had strong “Hakka vibes”: both TSG Hawks’ General Manager Liu Tung-yang and Tseng Tzu-yu, catcher of the ceremonial first pitch, are local Hakka figures. This grand event wouldn’t have been possible without their assistance, exemplifying typical Hakka comradeship. As a matter of fact, food, clothing, housing, and transportation can all bear a relationship to Hakka culture. HAC will gladly receive and fully support further collaborations with sports teams, music, culture, and other athletic events.
Today’s event kicked off with a performance of Home Town by the Pingtung County Feng Tian Elementary School Choir, followed by a premiere by Wing Stars—TSG Hawks’ cheerleading squad, who delivered the new Hakka cheer song, Give It All. Kaohsiung native and Golden Melody Award winner Wing Lo sang Wind on Cha-ding Mountain, making the audience go crazy with excitement. For the ensuing ceremonial first pitch, Minister Gu threw the ball, with Meinong Junior High School youth baseball team player Chang Yu-ning as the batter and Hakka player Tseng Tzu-yu as the catcher, officially opening the game.
