1️⃣ Exhibit Name
“An la!” Hit Cheer Sign (Chinese: 安打啦！)
A sign reading “安打啦！” (“It’s a hit!”). Raised after a base hit, especially during rallies. Often combined with a cartoon bat.
2️⃣ Collection & Image
Figure 1. “An la!” Hit Cheer Sign – Camera Photo Style
A fan holding a sign with “安打啦！” in large red letters, smiling after a base hit.
3️⃣ Gallery Location
Fan Culture Wing › Signs Hall › Taiwan Gallery
4️⃣ Exhibit Background
The “An la!” Hit Cheer Sign (安打啦！) is a celebratory fan sign raised immediately after a base hit. The phrase “安打啦” (An la) is a cheerful, colloquial Taiwanese expression meaning “It’s a hit!” or “That’s a hit!” – often drawn out with excitement. Unlike the “Hōng bù hóng” sign (which asks a question before the at‑bat), the “An la!” sign is a reaction to success. It is especially common during rallying innings, when multiple hits occur in sequence, and fans wave the signs in rhythm.
The tradition emerged in the 1990s alongside the CPBL’s growing popularity. The sign is often decorated with a cartoon bat, baseball, or star bursts. It is a pure expression of joy – no irony, no critique, just celebration.
5️⃣ Period & Location
- Period: 1990s – present
- Location: Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) stadiums, youth baseball tournaments
6️⃣ Material & Dimensions
- Material: Cardboard, foam board, plastic sheet – often with team colors
- Dimensions: Typically 12″ × 18″ (30 cm × 45 cm) – handheld
- Lettering: Bold red or black Chinese characters, sometimes with a yellow background for contrast
Figure 2 – “An la!” Hit Cheer Sign – Rod Puppet Style
A traditional Taiwanese rod puppet (杖頭傀儡) holding the “安打啦！” sign, merging puppet theater with baseball celebration.
7️⃣ Narrative Story
The Sound of a Hit
The phrase “安打啦” mimics the excited shout of a fan when the ball cracks off the bat. In Taiwanese Hokkien, “安打” (an‑tá) means “hit,” and the final “啦” (la) adds a sense of immediate, joyful announcement. The sign captures that spontaneous vocal burst in written form.
The Cartoon Bat Tradition
Many “An la!” signs include a simple cartoon bat drawn next to the text – sometimes with motion lines indicating a swing. Some artists add a baseball with stitch marks flying off the bat. The illustrations are childlike, reinforcing the unpretentious joy of the moment.
The Rally Wave
During a rally (multiple hits in a row), fans will wave the signs in unison, often from side to side, creating a “wave” of celebratory text. The coordinated waving is not as rigid as Japanese Ōendan routines – it is looser, more spontaneous. In the 2015 CPBL playoffs, a group of Uni‑Lions fans set a record by waving “安打啦” signs for 22 consecutive hits over two innings.
Social Media Hashtag
The phrase “安打啦” has become a popular social media hashtag (#安打啦) used by CPBL fans when sharing clips of a clutch hit. The sign itself appears in countless fan photos after a walk‑off win.
Think About It
- How does the “An la!” sign differ from a general “GO TEAM” sign? What specific moment does it celebrate?
- Why do Taiwanese fans add a cartoon bat or baseball to the sign? What does that say about the culture of fan art?
- How does waving the sign during a rally create a sense of communal participation?
Figure 3. “An la!” Hit Cheer Sign – Glove Puppetry Style
A Taiwanese glove puppet (布袋戲) holding the “安打啦！” sign, merging traditional puppet theater with baseball fandom.
8️⃣ Current Status & Applications
- Status: The “An la!” sign is a staple in CPBL stadiums, especially in the designated cheering sections.
- Applications: Teams occasionally distribute pre‑printed “安打啦” towels or signs. The phrase appears on social media filters and fan merchandise.
- Suggested companion exhibits: Display alongside “Hōng bù hóng” question sign and “Chia You” encouragement sign.
9️⃣ Significance & Educational Value
- Significance: The “An la!” sign represents immediate, unfiltered joy in baseball. It is a reaction, not a prediction – a celebration of the small victory (a single) as much as the home run.
- Educational value: Encourages visitors to appreciate how different cultures celebrate success – and how language shapes those expressions (“An la” vs. “Hit!” vs. “Kattobase”).
🔟 References
- CPBL fan sign traditions. Chinese Professional Baseball League official guide, 2019.
- “An la” – The sound of CPBL. Taiwan Baseball Culture Journal, 2017.
- The rally wave in Taiwanese baseball. United Daily News, 2015.
- Social media and fan expression. China Times, 2022.