BASEBALL/Tseng Hao-jiu to lead Team Taiwan in 2026 WBC

Taipei, April 15 (CNA) Tseng Hao-jiu (曾豪駒) will resume his role as the manager of Taiwan's national team in the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC) after leading the team through a bumpy qualifier series in February.

Taiwan's Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL), which assembles the national team, announced Tseng's return on Monday after the Rakuten Monkeys, his CPBL team, backed the appointment, describing the invitation to Tseng as "a recognition of [his] expertise."

The Monkeys said in a statement Monday that they had reached a consensus with Tseng to prioritize the ongoing CPBL season, after which he will fully commit to preparing for the WBC.

The CPBL added that scouting efforts are already underway, and the team's support staff will begin operations in late April.

According to the league, the national team will hold its first monthly meeting in May. Training is set to begin in mid-January -- earlier than usual -- at Tseng's suggestion.

In November 2024, Tseng earned unanimous praise after leading a modest roster to victory in the WBSC Premier12, securing Taiwan's first-ever world championship in a major senior-level tournament of its national sport.

He was then appointed manager for the 2025 WBC Qualifiers, in which Taiwan faced Spain, Nicaragua, and South Africa in Taipei in February to vie for two tournament spots.

The team did not live up to its advanced billing, however, narrowly avoiding a mercy rule loss to Spain in the opener before taking revenge in a rematch to clinch the final qualifying spot.

Following the qualifiers, CPBL Commissioner Tsai Chi-chang (蔡其昌) said Tseng remained the best candidate for the managerial role. Tseng, citing intense pressure, initially declined to make an immediate decision, saying he needed time to rest.

On March 22, he confirmed he was willing to take the job again, pending discussions with the Monkeys to strike a balance between club and national duties.

"This opportunity was offered by the commissioner, the league, and other officials who made our achievement possible," Tseng said. "Also, all the players and coaches contributed to this honor, so yes, I'm absolutely willing to take on this mission."

The 2026 WBC will take place in early March, with Taiwan joining reigning champions Japan, along with Australia, South Korea, and the Czech Republic in Pool C.

The team is expected to finalize its roster in early February, the CPBL said.