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Uni-Lions' young pitcher Lin Chao-en overcomes injury fears, manager reveals 'slow' side

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Lin Chao-en, a promising young pitcher for the Uni-Lions, delivered a strong performance with 6.1 innings and 6 strikeouts against the Wei Chuan Dragons.
  • After recovering from a torn left elbow ligament last year, Lin is gradually overcoming his fear of throwing at higher speeds, a necessary step for his potential overseas career.
  • Manager "Cookie" Lin believes Lin needs to increase his pitching velocity to 145-147 kph to be considered for international play, while also noting the pitcher's occasional absent-mindedness, such as forgetting his PitchCom device.

Uni-Lions' rising star Lin Chao-en showcased his potential on Thursday, pitching 6.1 innings and striking out six batters in a solid outing against the Wei Chuan Dragons. This performance marks a significant step for the young pitcher, who missed most of last season due to a torn left elbow ligament.

The hand's reaction was that I didn't dare to exert myself that much, and my own reaction was too slow, leading to a bad cycle at the beginning of the season.

— Lin Chao-enDescribing his initial hesitation to throw at full speed after recovering from an elbow injury.

Lin admitted that upon his return this season, he initially felt hesitant to push his arm to its maximum velocity due to lingering concerns from his injury. This psychological barrier, coupled with slower reaction times, created a difficult cycle that delayed his integration into top-tier games. However, since his return to the main roster in May, Lin feels he has overcome this mental hurdle and is now focused on improving his arm's recovery and overall strength.

I still have to get back on the field and find a way to help the team win. As for breakthroughs, let's take it slowly; rushing isn't good, especially after last year's injury.

— Lin Chao-enReflecting on his development goals and the need for a patient approach.

Manager "Cookie" Lin (Lin Yueh-ping) expressed his confidence in Lin Chao-en's future, stating that the pitcher needs to consistently throw between 145 and 147 kilometers per hour to be a viable candidate for playing overseas. While Lin Chao-en has been working towards increasing his velocity since joining the professional league, he feels he hasn't yet found the "key" to unlock his full potential. The manager emphasized a gradual approach, acknowledging that rushing the process could be detrimental, especially given his injury history.

He's a bit slow on the uptake sometimes.

— Manager "Cookie" LinHumorously describing Lin Chao-en's occasional absent-mindedness.

Adding a touch of personality to the report, "Cookie" Lin also shared an anecdote about Lin Chao-en's occasional absent-mindedness. He recalled an incident during Lin's season debut where the young pitcher forgot to bring his PitchCom device onto the field. Lin Chao-en sheepishly explained that he was too rushed while changing clothes and simply forgot in his haste. Despite these minor quirks, Lin's focus remains on contributing to the team's success and continuing his development.

I was just too rushed then, worried about being late while changing clothes, so I just went up [onto the field].

— Lin Chao-enExplaining why he forgot his PitchCom device.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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