Taiwanese celebrity Lin Chi-ling made a long-awaited public appearance in Japan after a 5-year hiatus. On the 22nd, she took to the field at the ES CON FIELD HOKKAIDO in Japan to throw the first pitch for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters team. Lin greeted the audience in both Japanese and English, her sweet smile winning applause from the crowd.
Dressed in a Nippon-Ham Fighters jersey with the number “070” and fitted jeans, Lin Chi-ling made a stylish entrance with her hair tied up neatly. Despite throwing a ground ball, she managed to get it to the catcher smoothly, eliciting thunderous applause and cheers from the spectators. Lin Chi-ling expressed, “The support from everyone gives me strength.”
She began her address in Japanese, saying, “Hello, everyone. I’m Lin Chi-ling, and this is my first time pitching in my life. I’m thankful for the opportunity to take on a new challenge today, and I appreciate all your support. Thank you all.”
In English, she continued, expressing gratitude, “I’m honored to have the best experience in such an exciting sports arena. Thank you for your support.”
Her sweet and graceful smile won applause and cheers from the audience present.
Local comments flooded in, with remarks like, “Fantastic, reassuring, so beautiful,” and “Lin Chi-ling is so beautiful! She’s the actress I liked in ‘Red Cliff’! Seeing her in person makes me so happy!”
About a month ago, Lin Chi-ling began awakening her body’s exercise cells, gradually regaining flexibility in her shoulder blades and core muscles, and learning the correct pitching posture. Before taking the field on the day, she revealed, “I’m nervous and excited. I had good and bad pitches during practice yesterday, so I pray that everything goes smoothly and without mistakes during the actual pitch.”
Even on the night before the 22nd, she intensified her practice of the pitching posture, even using a towel to practice. Finally, she threw a pitch on the day, with the ball landing and bouncing into the catcher’s glove before Hirokawa.
Afterward, Lin Chi-ling said, “Standing on the pitcher’s mound for the first time is different from practicing on flat ground. I couldn’t stand steadily, so I threw a ground ball, which I feel is a pity.” Nevertheless, her performance still won accolades. A Japanese commentator even remarked, “Isn’t she only 9 inches tall? Her face is small, her physique is good, and she’s very beautiful.”
Her brother-in-law AKIRA had served as a guest at the opening pitch at Shinjuku Baseball Stadium. Although he couldn’t accompany her this time due to work commitments, he had specially reminded Lin Chi-ling beforehand. Yesterday (22nd), she also asked the staff to record the event from the sidelines to share with her husband later.
The opening pitch took place in Hokkaido, where she had previously visited to film “Sweet Chocolate.” She recalled it was snowy back then, but this time it was summer. She mentioned, “I love the different landscapes. Through this work trip to Hokkaido, it allows me to relax my body, mind, and soul.”