CPBL hopeful for redemptive season

Chen, who became Taiwan's first player to ever perform in the U.S. Major Leagues with the Dodgers in 2002 but spent most of his time in the minors before returning home in 2006, said in the video that the only thing players can do is play hard, because it's their job.

Teams and the league office have also taken measures to make sure game-fixing at the behest of gambling syndicates will not reoccur.

The Kaohsiung-based Bears used an unusual way to motivate its players, hanging a large banner on the outfield wall of its home field Chengching Lake Stadium with the Chinese character for “shame” and a fuzzy picture of a pitcher implicated in the scandal.

Elephants manager Chen led all of his players to a temple in an annual pre-season ritual and asked everyone to vow before the temple gods that they would not throw games.

The league office has resorted to strict regulations to keep players in check. All CPBL players are required to place 10 percent of their monthly wages in an escrow account with a contracted bank and will get their money back only after retirement, Commissioner Chao said.

If the players are involved in game-fixing, the money will be confiscated, he said.

The players association has also authorized prosecutors to access their call detail records if needed.

A total of 240 games will be played in the 2010 regular season from March 20 to Sept. 26.

Uni-President beat Brother 4-3 in the best-of seven 2009 Taiwan Series to clinch its third consecutive title. The fifth investigation into game-fixing was launched a day after the seven-game series concluded.

1|2

PrintEmail

Write a Comment

Terms

Enter your comments - 3000 characters max

Type in image code

Submit

 Receive China Post promos
 Respond to this email