Taiwanese Pitcher Huang Ding-in Dreams of Bridging Baseball Worlds at Waseda

Published: 2025/03/09

For Huang Ding-in,a Taiwanese international student and pitcher at Waseda University,the roar of the crowd at jingu Stadium is a memory he’ll cherish. Waseda,a powerhouse in the Tokyo Six University Baseball League,provided Huang with the chance he’d long sought. It was really fun. I was so focused that my mind was completely blank, but I could hear the voices of my friends, Huang recalls, reflecting on his debut as graduation nears.

A Dream Realized on the Mound at Jingu

Huang’s journey to the Jingu mound culminated on September 14th of last year, during the opening match of the fall league against the University of Tokyo. Entering the game in the eighth inning with a agreeable 13-point lead, Huang faced his first collegiate batters. Despite allowing a leadoff single, he induced two ground ball outs to end the inning. I’ve been practicing with the image of the mound at Jingu Stadium all the way. I was happy, he said, his excitement evident.

Growing up in Hsinchu, near Taipei, Huang’s passion for baseball led him to Hsinchu High School. Though, he felt a stronger program was needed to elevate his game. It was like the second division in Taiwan. That’s why I wanted to play baseball in a strong place in college, he explained. This ambition fueled his pursuit of an opportunity at Waseda University.

Waseda’s overseas designated school proposal system, linking Hsinchu High School and Waseda University, provided a pathway. In high school, I spent a lot of time studying. I had to work hard to get recommended by the school, Huang stated, highlighting the academic rigor required to seize the opportunity.

Admitted to Waseda’s Faculty of International Liberal Arts in September 2020, Huang’s arrival in japan was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic. He finally arrived in the spring of 2022.

Finding a Home Away From Home

Living in Higashifushimi, near the baseball club’s grounds, Huang balanced his studies at Waseda’s Shinjuku campus with baseball practice. Despite the language barrier – I couldn’t speak Japanese at all, so I studied from university, – Huang quickly integrated into the team. His classes in the Faculty of International Liberal Arts are conducted in English.

I’m lucky, and everyone talks to me a lot. They’re all nice people, Huang gratefully acknowledged, emphasizing the support he received from his teammates. He specifically mentioned classmates and student coaches Ishihara Satoda and Fujiwara Naoya, who were particularly helpful due to their English proficiency.

I want to play baseball in Japan and make baseball friends. This simple desire fueled Huang’s journey, culminating in three years of dedication and achievement.

Practice was tough. not only baseball, but there’s a lot to do, life and study… If you don’t have one thing to do, everything won’t go well. So I don’t feel like I didn’t have much time to relax all day, Huang admitted, acknowledging the demanding schedule of a student-athlete.

Like many college students, huang also learned to cook for himself. He relied on a Tarton electric pot brought from Taiwan, often preparing dishes with rice, meat, and vegetables. he also frequented local restaurants, particularly Naridaya, a popular spot near Higashi-Fushimi station known for it’s affordable and hearty meals, especially the mapo eggplant set meal.

A Legacy of Taiwanese Baseball at Waseda

The connection between Waseda University and Taiwanese baseball runs deeper than many realize. The university’s first baseball expedition to Taiwan in 1917 is credited with contributing to the sport’s growth on the island. In 1931, Chiayi Agriculture reached the final of the National High School Baseball Championship, Japan’s equivalent of the College World Series. Go Ming Zhou, the team’s ace pitcher, cleanup hitter, and captain, later attended Waseda University. Although he transitioned to a fielder, he excelled, leading the tokyo Six university Baseball League in hitting in the fall of 1936. His seven home runs that season stood as a league record untill 1957, when Shigeo Nagashima of Rikkyo university (later a legend with the Yomiuri Giants) surpassed it with eight.

I no Wu Mingjie. I’m next to Miaoli County, where Wu was born, and my Hsinchu city, and it’s about a 30-minute drive, Huang said, highlighting the personal connection.I first met Mr. Wu in the sixth grade. I watched the movie and learned more about Waseda.

The film Huang refers to is KANO 1931 koshien Beyond the Sea, released in 2014, which depicts Wu Ming Xiang’s journey under Japanese coach Kondo Hyotaro. Wu Mingjie remained in Japan after the war, and one of his grandsons is now an orthopedic surgeon.I know! I’ve met you before. I want to be like that person too, Huang exclaimed, revealing his aspiration to follow a similar path.

Looking Ahead: orthopedics and Bridging Cultures

Huang’s future plans extend beyond baseball. I want to go back to Taiwan and study to become an orthopedic surgeon. And I would like to become a bridge between baseball between Japan and Taiwan, he stated, outlining his dual ambitions.

He also expressed interest in continuing his baseball career in Taiwan’s adult leagues. I’m also interested in continuing to play in Taiwan’s working adult baseball. So I’m researching various documents. First, I’ll return to taiwan and do my duty military service, Huang explained.

Huang Ding-in’s journey embodies the spirit of international sportsmanship and cultural exchange. as he prepares for Waseda University’s graduation ceremony on March 25th, he carries with him the lessons learned, the friendships forged, and the dream of connecting the baseball worlds of Japan and Taiwan.

Further Investigation: It would be interesting to explore the experiences of other Taiwanese baseball players who have played in Japan, both at the professional and collegiate levels. Additionally, researching the current state of baseball in Taiwan’s working adult leagues could provide valuable context to Huang’s future aspirations.