Presentation Schedule
She Threw More Than a Ball: Chang Chien Chin-Ling and the Cultural Politics of Taiwanese Women’s Softball, 1970s-1990s (105570)
Session Chair: Jordan Oneal Manlapaz
Sunday, 10 May 2026 16:25
Session: Session 3
Room: Room G408 (4F)
Presentation Type: Oral Presentation
Focusing on star pitcher Chang Chien Chin-Ling, this study examines how the development of Taiwanese women’s softball from the 1970s to the 1990s was influenced by the interconnected forces of body politics, national narratives, and gendered labor. Using state archives, newspapers, and records of her athletic career, this research shows that Chang Chien Chin-Ling—inducted into the WBSC Hall of Fame in 2019—represents both the process of institutionalizing women’s softball in Taiwan and the projections of national pride and gender expectations placed on female athletes. Media stories highlighted bodily myths such as her "40-inning complete game", as well as themes of "endurance", "grit", and the "friendship champion", to build her heroic image and make her body a symbol of the nation. The findings also reveal structural challenges faced by women softball players, including limited educational options, unequal power dynamics with coaches, and the pressures of work and family responsibilities after retiring. While this study suggests that the female athletic body acts as both a competitive tool and a site of cultural conflict, it also emphasizes the rise of women’s self-awareness. Chang Chien Chin-Ling’s athletic journey reflects the multiple tensions created by the Cold War era, gender norms, and the modernization of sport in Taiwan. Re-examining her media portrayals and career provides a new perspective for understanding Taiwanese women’s softball and highlights the long-overlooked role of women in the nation’s sports history.
Authors:
Chinfang Kuo, Aletheia University, Taiwan
Hsienwei Kuo, the National Tainan Institute of Nursing, Taiwan
About the Presenter(s)
Dr. Kuo Chinfang is currently a Professor at Aletheia University, New Taipei City, Taiwan.
See this presentation on the full schedule – Sunday Schedule
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