SATURDAY, MARCH 19, 2016
If you ever find yourself in Taoyuan, go to a Lamigo Baseball game. It’s a unique experience. This is my third time at a Lamigo baseball game. Am I a baseball fanatic? No. Did I watch baseball in the U.S.? No. So, why did I go to a baseball game and for the third time? Read on, to find out!
Why I Went to a Baseball Game
My co worker is a HUGE baseball fan. He’s so famous in the Lamigo community that people ask to take pictures with him when we are out and about. It’s probably happened almost every time we go out for dinner. RJ goes to nearly all the home baseball games and he walks all over the stadium cheering with the fans. William and Tracy were going to the season opener game, so I tagged along and went with them.
Taiwan Baseball
Currently, Taiwan has four baseball teams. I know. It’s not a lot of teams and yes, they play each other a lot. There’s the Lamigo Monkeys from Taoyuan, EDA Rhinos from Kaohsiung, 7-Eleven Lions from Tainan, and the China Trust Brother Elephants from Taichung. There’s a long standing rivalry between the Brother Elephants and Lamigo Monkeys.
Taiwan baseball also gets cheerleaders. The LamiGirls are famous among the baseball community and seats in their section sell for a higher price.
Getting There
Lamigo baseball games are at the Taoyuan International Baseball Stadium. Easiest way to get there is to take the High Speed Rail to Taoyuan Station and go to the bus area. At the end, there is a free shuttle bus that goes from the HSR to the baseball stadium. On game days, there are several, so don’t worry. The bus ride is only 5 minutes, because the stadium is so close to the High Speed Rail.
How To Buy Tickets
You can buy tickets at the stadium or you can buy them at Family Mart. Baseball game tickets can be purchased at the convenience stores in Taiwan, but each convenience store has there “allegiance.” You can only buy tickets for games at Family Mart. You can’t buy them at 7-Eleven, but you can buy baseball game tickets to see the Brother Elephants play in Taichung. Tickets cost between 250 – 500NT, I think. I don’t know how much the hot zone tickets go for.
Food
There’s lots of food at the Stadium. This aspect is similar if you compare to an American Baseball game. There are food stands, but the food they sell is very different to what you might find at an American baseball game. Even their hot dogs are different. Last time I was at a Lamigo baseball game, I really enjoyed their hot dogs, so I got two this time and they were not as good as I remembered. But I suggest trying it. There’s drinks and souvenirs and fan gear for sell as well. Beware that prices for food at the stadium are going to be slightly more expensive than what you might be used to outside the stadium.
Another interesting fact about going to baseball games in Taiwan is that you can bring your own food. So, you can stop by McDonald’s or Mos Burger at the HSR and bring the food into the stadium if you don’t want to eat their food.
From what I recall, the stadium sells personal pan Pizza Hut pizzas, corn dogs, hot dogs, stinky tofu, fried chicken, popcorn, and probably more.
Game
Because this game was the season opener, the stadium was PACKED! Geez, there were a lot of people. The entire stadium was filled, with the outfield seats being nearly filled as well. That’s where William and I sat, in left outfield.
It was an exciting game definitely. Sadly, the Lamigos lost during overtime 13-11. When Lamigos win games, there are fireworks at the end of the game
Below is a video of the fans singing. Each baseball player on the team is assigned a song/chant/tune. When that player is at bat or hits a home run, you’ll hear the crowd singing his song.
It couldn't have been ENTIRELY packed…my seat was empty 😛