"Baseball and Identity: The Young Talents of Bei-Nan"
Bei-Nan Primary School in Taitung, Taiwan, is renowned for its young baseball team, which reflects the rich cultural heritage of the local indigenous communities. This photographic documentary project focuses on the impact of baseball within these communities, highlighting the children’s passion, their sports training, and the surrounding educational issues.
Starting in late spring 2024, with the daily training sessions of the young athletes and their school life. Summer featured a tournament in Hualien, where baseball emerged as a powerful means of connection and exchange. The project's centerpiece will be the Care Cup, an annual tournament held in Taitung every November. This event, central to the children’s sporting activities, will reveal the depth of their commitment, the unique opportunity provided by a specialized school, and the potential for some to pursue a professional career. Team A, participating in the 31st Care Cup 2024, is made up exclusively of indigenous children, with a majority from the Amis tribe. The Care Cup is a youth baseball tournament in Taiwan, focusing on developing young talent and promoting sportsmanship. It emphasizes indigenous participation, with many teams composed of players from Taiwan's indigenous tribes, particularly the Amis. The event combines competition with cultural celebration and mentorship from experienced players, fostering both athletic skills and personal growth.
The recent victory of the Taiwanese national baseball team at the Premium12 tournament against Japan has highlighted the role of Indigenous players in Taiwanese baseball. Indeed, 13 members of the team are of Indigenous descent, emphasizing the significance of this community in the national sport.
Children from Team A of Bei-Nan Elementary School are training in the afternoon.
Children from Team A of Bei-Nan Elementary School are training in the afternoon.
Capitain Yeh Hao-yu from Team A of Bei-Nan Elementary School closes baseball field after training.
Children from Team B of Bei-Nan Elementary School are training in the afternoon.
Children from Team B of Bei-Nan Elementary School greet "baseball field before to train in the afternoon.
Children from Team A of Bei-Nan Elementary School are training in the afternoon.
The name of the school is visible in the background of the baseball field.
Capitain Yeh from Team A of Bei-Nan Elementary puts on the catcher's gear before training.
Children from Team A of Bei-Nan Elementary School are training in the afternoon.
Children from Team A of Bei-Nan Elementary School are training in the afternoon.
Children from Team A of Bei-Nan Elementary School are training in the afternoon.
Children from Team A of Bei-Nan Elementary School are training in the afternoon.
Children from Team A of Bei-Nan Elementary School are training in the afternoon.
Children from Team A of Bei-Nan Elementary School are training in the afternoon.
The children from the baseball team who stay at the boarding school are moving the evening meal.
The children in the boarding school do the daily cleaning.
The children in the boarding school ready to sleep.
The children in the boarding school do their homework before dinner.
Yu Cheng-yi, calls his mom after training to ask her some clothes. Unfortunately, he will be injured two days before the Care Cup and will be removed from the roster.
The children from the baseball team who stay at the boarding school are moving the evening meal.
The children in the boarding school do the daily laundry.
The children in the boarding school do the daily laundry.
The children in the boarding school receive their dinner.
The children in the boarding school receive their dinner.
The children in the boarding school do their homework before dinner.
The baseball Team A of Bei-Nan Elementary School is participating in a summer tournament in Hualien.
The baseball Team A of Bei-Nan Elementary School is participating in a summer tournament in Hualien.
The baseball Team A of Bei-Nan Elementary School is participating in a summer tournament in Hualien.
The baseball Team A of Bei-Nan Elementary School is participating in a summer tournament in Hualien.
The baseball Team A of Bei-Nan Elementary School is participating in a summer tournament in Hualien.
The baseball Team A of Bei-Nan Elementary School is participating in a summer tournament in Hualien.
The baseball Team A of Bei-Nan Elementary School is participating in a summer tournament in Hualien.
The baseball Team A of Bei-Nan Elementary School is participating in a summer tournament in Hualien.
The baseball Team A of Bei-Nan Elementary School is participating in a summer tournament in Hualien.
The baseball Team A of Bei-Nan Elementary School is participating in a summer tournament in Hualien.
The baseball Team A of Bei-Nan Elementary School is participating in a summer tournament in Hualien.
The baseball Team A of Bei-Nan Elementary School is participating in a summer tournament in Hualien.
The baseball Team A of Bei-Nan Elementary School is participating in a summer tournament in Hualien.
The baseball Team A of Bei-Nan Elementary School is participating in a summer tournament in Hualien.
The baseball Team A of Bei-Nan Elementary School is participating in a summer tournament in Hualien.
Inside the Bei-Nan elementary school in Taitung.
Inside the Bei-Nan elementary school in Taitung.
Children from Team A of Bei-Nan Elementary School are training in the afternoon.
The 6th-grade sports program students (including members of Team A) in a Mandarin class at Bei-Nan Elementary School in Taitung.
Children from Team A of Bei-Nan Elementary School are training in the afternoon.
Children from Team A of Bei-Nan Elementary School rest after a training in the afternoon.
Children from Team A of Bei-Nan Elementary School are training in the afternoon.
Inside the Bei-Nan elementary school in Taitung.
Children from Team A of Bei-Nan Elementary School are training in the afternoon.
The 6th-grade sports program students (including members of Team A) in a Mandarin class at Bei-Nan Elementary School in Taitung.
The 6th-grade sports program students (including members of Team A) are taking advantage of their lunch break to watch the Premium12 baseball game between Taiwan and the USA at Bei-Nan Elementary School in Taitung.
The baseball sports program students play baseball during their break at Bei-Nan Elementary School in Taitung.
Children from Team A of Bei-Nan Elementary School are training in the afternoon.
Children from Team A of Bei-Nan Elementary School are training in the afternoon.
Yeh Hao-yu, the captain of the baseball Team A of Bei-Nan Elementary School, in his room for a photo.
Yeh Hao-yu, the captain of the baseball Team A of Bei-Nan Elementary School, in his room for a photo.
Yeh Hao-yu, the captain of the baseball Team A of Bei-Nan Elementary School, is training in his neighborhood.
Yeh Hao-yu, the captain of the baseball Team A of Bei-Nan Elementary School, is training in his neighborhood.
Yeh Hao-yu, the captain of the baseball Team A of Bei-Nan Elementary School, is training in his neighborhood.
Yeh Hao-yu, the captain of the baseball Team A of Bei-Nan Elementary School, in his room for a photo.
Yu Cheng-yi, from baseball Team A of Bei-Nan Elementary School, with his grand-parents for a photo. Unfortunately, he will be injured two days before the Care Cup and will be removed from the roster.
Yu Cheng-yi, from baseball Team A of Bei-Nan Elementary School, in his room for a photo. Unfortunately, he will be injured two days before the Care Cup and will be removed from the roster.
Yu Cheng-yi (C), from baseball Team A of Bei-Nan Elementary School returns home on Friday evening by train. Unfortunately, he will be injured two days before the Care Cup and will be removed from the roster.
Yu Cheng-yi (R), from baseball Team A of Bei-Nan Elementary School returns home on Friday evening by train. Unfortunately, he will be injured two days before the Care Cup and will be removed from the roster.
Yu Cheng-yi (L), from baseball Team A of Bei-Nan Elementary School returns home on Friday evening by train. Unfortunately, he will be injured two days before the Care Cup and will be removed from the roster.
Children from Team A of Bei-Nan Elementary School are training in the afternoon.
Children from Team A of Bei-Nan Elementary School are training in the afternoon.
Children from Team A of Bei-Nan Elementary School rest after training in the afternoon.
The jerseys of the baseball Team A are drying.
Children from the baseball Team B of Bei-Nan are keeping track of their school's score.
Former Taiwanese professional baseball player Hsu Feng-pin is leading a workshop on base running.
Former Taiwanese professional baseball player Hsu Feng-pin is leading a workshop on base running.
A physical therapy student is leading a stretching session for both teams after their match during the 31st Care Cup 2024 in Taitung.
Locals watch a Baseball Team A's game during the 31st Care Cup in Taitung.
Baseball Team A is playing a match in the 31st Care Cup in Taitung.
Former Taiwanese professional baseball player Hsu Feng-pin is leading a workshop on base running.
A physical therapy student is leading a stretching session for both teams after their match during the 31st Care Cup 2024 in Taitung.
Baseball Team A is playing a match in the 31st Care Cup in Taitung.
Baseball Team A is playing a match in the 31st Care Cup in Taitung.
Opening ceremony of the 31st Care Cup 2024 at the Taitung Municipal Stadium.
Opening ceremony of the 31st Care Cup 2024 at the Taitung Municipal Stadium.
Opening ceremony of the 31st Care Cup 2024 at the Taitung Municipal Stadium.
Opening ceremony of the 31st Care Cup 2024 at the Taitung Municipal Stadium.
Representatives from Taiwan Indigenious tribe attend opening ceremony of the 31st Care Cup 2024 at the Taitung Municipal Stadium.
The Taiwanese baseball legend "The King of Home Runs," Ngayaw Ake (an indigenous member of the Amis tribe), is helping a child from Team A of Bei-Nan warm up during a match at the 31st Care Cup 2024 in Taitung.
Baseball Team A is playing a match in the 31st Care Cup in Taitung.
Team A is visible in the reflection on the coach's sunglasses.
Baseball Team A is playing a match in the 31st Care Cup in Taitung.
Captain Yeh Hao-yu has ice on his shoulder after pitching during a match of the 31st Care Cup 2024 in Taitung.
Baseball Team A is playing a match in the 31st Care Cup in Taitung.
Captain Yeh Hao-yu pitches during baseball Team A game in the 31st Care Cup in Taitung.
Captain Yeh Hao-yu pitches during baseball Team A game in the 31st Care Cup in Taitung.
Captain Yeh Hao-yu pitches during baseball Team A game in the 31st Care Cup in Taitung.
Baseball Team A is playing a match in the 31st Care Cup in Taitung.
Baseball Team A is playing a match in the 31st Care Cup in Taitung.
Baseball Team A is playing a match in the 31st Care Cup in Taitung.
Baseball Team A is playing a match in the 31st Care Cup in Taitung.
Baseball Team A is playing a match in the 31st Care Cup in Taitung.
Baseball Team A is playing a match in the 31st Care Cup in Taitung.
Baseball Team A is playing a match in the 31st Care Cup in Taitung.
Baseball Team A is playing a match in the 31st Care Cup in Taitung.
Baseball Team A is playing a match in the 31st Care Cup in Taitung.
Baseball Team A is playing a match in the 31st Care Cup in Taitung.
Baseball Team A is playing a match in the 31st Care Cup in Taitung.
Baseball Team A is playing a match in the 31st Care Cup in Taitung.
The children from Team A are having their lunch boxes between two matches of the 31st Care Cup 2024.
The children from Team A are looking at their trophy for 3rd place in the 31st Care Cup 2024.
The children from Team A are posing with their trophy for 3rd place in the 31st Care Cup 2024.