鑽石儲思盆－臺北市立棒球場的意象轉變

Abstract

臺北市立棒球場興建於1957年，為承接戰後臺灣棒球運動發展的重要場域，但最後卻於2000年拆除，原址被改建成現今的「小巨蛋」，且看不出任何與臺北市立棒球場有關的痕跡。然而，對於球迷與其參與者而言，這座棒球場仍活在大家的心中。 究其興建之原因，在戰後國際情勢影響之下，臺灣需以棒球與友邦進行交流，促使政府願意興建棒球場。對於棒球運動發展而言，臺北市為首都但卻缺乏一座標準的棒球場，因而在謝國城及棒球相關人士的努力之下，建立臺北市立棒球場。然而，甫建立的球場仍屬簡略，在後續為了國際賽以及受到上位者的注意之下，隨著政府與民間皆認為要興建運動場館的想法，使球場一步步成為了現代化的棒球場。另一方面，球場設施的增建也可反映人們對於球場的想像，象徵著越趨熱烈的球迷參與以及工商社會下的休閒需求，同時執政者也在外觀上強加其意識，但對於參與者而言未必有產生效果。而在職棒賽事展開之際，出現企業主導球場修建之狀況。 回顧曾在臺北市立棒球場進行過的活動，首次進行的比賽為與早稻田大學的交流賽，但對臺灣棒球發展造成關鍵性影響，應屬1968年的紅葉少棒賽。不過紅葉少棒賽之於臺北市立棒球場可能僅是一場比賽，反而是在1970年代三級棒球的熱潮，再加上代表隊選拔賽的決賽絕大多數都是在臺北市立棒球場舉行，與配合電視轉播的影響之下，使球場映入更多人民的眼中。再者，眾多棒球賽事搶著在臺北市立棒球場舉辦，促使許多重要比賽在此進行，也建立起參與者心中認為臺北市立棒球場為重要賽事舉辦地，乃至於最高殿堂的印象。1990年代後，相當高比例的職棒賽事在臺北市立棒球場進行，更讓參與者留下深刻的印象。 然而，隨著「大巨蛋」的需求日增，臺北市立棒球場也被納入建地的考量之內，並在臺北市政府的運動場館興建規劃下，決定改建成小型體育館。在確定將被拆除之後，職棒聯盟舉辦「20世紀台北棒球場回顧接力紀念賽」，並因此激發過去的參與者重新回憶臺北市立棒球場。在球場拆除之後，遺留下來的器物與媒體的傳播，皆成了記憶再次被召喚與再製的媒介，最終經過不斷地篩選之後，成了參與者的歷史記憶。 關鍵詞：運動場館、集體記憶、口述歷史、物質文化

Alternate abstract:

Taipei Baseball Stadium was constructed in 1957. It served as an important venue to develop baseball in post-war Taiwan. However, it was later demolished in 2000, with today’s “Taipei Arena” built in its place. Though Taipei Arena appears to share no connection with the Stadium whatsoever, to baseball fans and participants alike, the once great stadium remains in the hearts of many.

As to reasons behind Taipei Municipal Stadium’s construction, the post-war international situation at the time was opportune for Taiwan to promote baseball as means of maintaining relations with friendly nations, prompting the government to construct a baseball stadium. To baseball promoters however, despite being the capital, Taipei lacked a stadium that met professional standards. Therefore, under the collective efforts of Hsieh, Kuo-Cheng and other prominent figures in baseball, the Stadium was built. Yet, the newly constructed Stadium was still considered bare bones. Only after subsequent considerations for international matches, attention from leadership, in addition to public-private consensus on building a sports venue, did the Stadium eventually modernize. On another aspect, added facilities reflected the people’s will for the stadium, symbolizing the increasingly fervent participation by fans as well as recreational needs of Taiwan’s industrial-commercial society. The administration also imposed their will on the Stadium’s appearance, which did not necessarily have the intended effect on the participants. Just as professional baseball matches were about to unfold, enterprises began to spearhead the Stadium’s alteration.

Reviewing events that took place at Taipei Baseball Stadium, the first match was the exchange match with Waseda University. But, the one match that critically influenced baseball development in Taiwan would be Hongye Junior Baseball Team’s match in 1968. However, it was nonetheless just a match that took place at the Stadium. Instead, it was the three level baseball craze of the 1970s, the team selection tournament finals predominantly held at the Stadium, complemented by television relay that presented the Stadium for all to see. Furthermore, many baseball matches clashed to be held at the Stadium, resulting in many important matches to take place there, solidifying its standing as an important venue to participants, if not the highest hall. After the 1990s, a significant number of professional baseball matches took place at the Stadium, strengthening participants’ impression.

Yet, with increasing demand for a “Taipei Dome”, Taipei Baseball Stadium became a venue for consideration. Under Taipei City Government’s planning for sports venue construction, a decision was passed to rebuild it into a small scale gymnasium. After plans for demolition were confirmed, CPBL held the “20th Century Taipei Baseball Stadium Review Relay Commemorative Match”, which evoked past participants’ reminiscing of the Stadium. After the Stadium’s removal, remaining artifacts and media transmission became the medium for public memory recall and remake. Only after constant selection, did the Stadium become a part of participants’ historical memory.