To promote sports participation among persons with disabilities and foster team spirit, Eden Foundation grandly hosted the “2025 The 2nd Eden Cup Community Workshop Tee-ball Game” at National Chung Hsing University Gymnasium in Taichung on 14th, Aug. This event brought together 19 units from Eden's small-scale sheltered community workshops and day care centers across Taiwan, forming 14 teams. Approximately 280 persons with disabilities participated, along with educare givers and support staff, totaling 333 participants. The event aimed to foster mutual exchange among participants with disabilities through sports while enhancing their social engagement, embodying the spirit of equality advocated by the CRPD.
To ensure persons with disabilities enjoy the right to participate in sports, Eden organized the nationwide Community Workshop Tee-ball Game on 14th, Aug.
Following enthusiastic responses from last year's inaugural event, teams eagerly requested its continuation. This year's Tee-ball Game relocated to Taichung, reuniting participants to hone their skills. This year featured special guest Yu-chi Tsao, a pitcher for the WeiChuan Dragons of the Chinese Professional Baseball League(CPBL). He led the athletes in taking the oath and joined Mr. Yu-Chao Chen, the President, Ms. Yen-Bing Chung, the CEO of Eden Foundation, and Ms. Ching-Chih Liao, Director of Social Affairs Bureau, Taichung City Government in swinging bats to kick off the exciting game. The subsequent fun sport activity saw players taking turns at bat, scoring based on where the ball landed. While competing fiercely on the field, they also cheered each other on, creating a scene that was both passionate and endearing.
Distinguished guests gathered in swinging bats to kick off for the 2025 Eden Cup Community Workshop Tee-ball Game.
Mr. Yu-chi Tsao made a special effort to attend before the game. He expressed his honor at being invited to meet fellow baseball enthusiasts, sharing the joy of playing together and savoring every moment on the field. Their never give up spirit deeply moved him, serving as a powerful source of inspiration. Mr. Yu-chi Tsao emphasized that sports are a fundamental right for all, where disabilities should never be barriers—passion alone makes everyone a potential MVP.
Eden Foundation hosts Community Workshop Tee-ball Game; Weichuan Dragons' Yu-chi Tsao coaches participants on batting techniques
Stepping into the batter's box with a powerful swing was Hsiao-Tsao from the home team “Le-Ching Community Workshop, Taichung City.” Educare givers implement person-centered plans, making the service user's dreams the core of the program. Hsiao-Tsao 's dream is “baseball.” Having rarely played baseball before, he discussed with his educare givers upon learning about the Tee-ball Game. They set “competing in the Tee-ball Game” as a key goal. He began actively training on the treadmill to build stamina, reviewing the rules, and never missing a health maintenance session. His dedication paid off. Progressing rapidly, he advanced from reserve player to starter. On the field, he fulfilled his baseball dream with fluid batting and spectacular defense!
Shouldering the crucial role of lead-off hitter, Hsiao-Tsao from Le-Ching Community Workshop, Taichung City finally realized his dream, becoming a full-fledged player.
An-An, a young adult from the Le-Ai Community Workshop, made his debut in the Tee-ball Game. This event showcased An-An's transformation and growth. An-An joined the Le-Ai Community Workshop last October. Though in his twenties with plenty of energy, he initially complained about the “heat and exhaustion” during the Tee-ball Game practices under the scorching sun and had only a vague understanding of the rules, showing little interest. Unexpectedly, with the encouragement of his educare givers and the companionship of his teammates, his skills improved day by day, and he gradually found his place within the team. Several group training sessions with corporate volunteers allowed him to experience the thrill and joy of competition. To perform better, he even bought knee pads and slipped on non-slip shoes, fully geared up and ready to take the field! This year, An-An donned his uniform for the first time to compete in Eden's Community Workshop Tee-ball Game. Not only did he have an incredible time, but he also learned how to protect his body properly so he could fully immerse himself in the activity. This Tee-ball Game earned An-An not just applause, but also confidence and passion, injecting the team from the Le-Ai Community Workshop with boundless energy!
Taichung's home team player, An-An from the Le-Ai Community Workshop, showcased the results of his dedicated practice on the field.
Article 30 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) states that persons with disabilities have the right to participate in cultural, recreational, leisure, and sporting activities. Despite the scorching heat, every team gave their all—swinging hard, running full speed between bases, showcasing their training. Players waiting on the sidelines weren't idle either, passionately cheering on their teammates. Regardless of the final outcome, they embodied the most precious sportsmanship.
Baseball star of Weichuan Dragons, Yu-chi Tsao presented autographed caps to cheer on the players with disabilities.
Eden Foundation stated that unlike conventional baseball games, the rules and gameplay of Tee-ball Game are exceptionally well-suited for persons with disabilities. Through structured courses, various organizations invite coaches to instruct service users, using accessible methods to help them understand game mechanics. Volunteers are also recruited as practice partners, enabling service users to experience the joy of sports, cultivate exercise habits, and maintain physical health.
Established over 43 years ago, Eden provides diverse services supporting persons with disabilities. We believe that with compassionate companionship, assistance in achieving independent living, opportunities for skills training, and a friendly, non-discriminatory environment, persons with disabilities can step out of their homes to enjoy various recreational activities. They can also have opportunities to leverage their strengths and talents, because we are a Team. Together, we can build a society free from discrimination, where equality and inclusion prevail!
