Wei Chuan Dragons Coach Eyes Full-Season Success After First-Half Title

Wei Chuan Dragons head coach Yeh Chun-chang is focused on carrying the team's championship momentum into the second half of the Chinese Professional Baseball Organization (CPBL) season. Having already clinched a playoff berth by winning the first half title, Yeh stressed the importance of a consistent, season-long approach.

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I have told the coaching staff and the players that we should look at the team for the entire season, not just the first half. Winning the first half championship is just a ticket to the playoffs. What matters next is maintaining the same mentality as we did in the first half.

"I have told the coaching staff and the players that we should look at the team for the entire season, not just the first half," Yeh said. "Winning the first half championship is just a ticket to the playoffs. What matters next is maintaining the same mentality as we did in the first half."

The Dragons' primary objective remains securing the best overall winning percentage in the league for the full year. Yeh believes this should be the benchmark for a professional team aiming to be recognized as the best in the league. "The overall winning percentage for the entire year is the primary goal. This is what a professional team should strive for," he stated.

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The overall winning percentage for the entire year is the primary goal. This is what a professional team should strive for.

Looking ahead to the second half, Yeh indicated a potential shift in the starting rotation. While the first half saw foreign pitchers dominate the rotation, accounting for 52 of 60 starts, Yeh suggested that local pitchers might receive more opportunities. "Of course, saying this again creates a contradiction... To maintain the team's performance, we should stick to the first-half model. However, in the second half, the starting rotation might give local pitchers a bit more space," he mused, mentioning potential candidates like Tseng Jen-ho, Kuo Yu-cheng, Huang Wei-chieh, and Lee Chih-lin, though Lee is currently prioritized for relief duty.

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Of course, saying this again creates a contradiction... To maintain the team's performance, we should stick to the first-half model. However, in the second half, the starting rotation might give local pitchers a bit more space.