TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — CTBC Brothers confirmed Friday that it has terminated its contract with pitcher Hsu Chi-ling (徐基麟) following revelations that he was involved in a DUI crash last year and failed to report the incident to the club.
The CTBC Brothers said DUI seriously endangers public safety. Subsequent concealment constituted a major violation, per CNA and LTN Sports.
It added that Hsu was released immediately upon discovery of the incident, in line with professional baseball league regulations. The team would seek damages for material breach of contract.
According to a publicly released court ruling, Hsu drank alcohol at a friend’s house in Pingtung on the night of Sept. 14. Around 6 a.m. the following morning, he drove and crashed into a roadside utility pole, causing his vehicle to overturn.
Police later conducted a breathalyzer test at the hospital, which showed his blood alcohol concentration exceeded the legal limit. The Pingtung District Court sentenced Hsu to five months in prison, with each day eligible to be commuted to a fine of NT$1,000 (US$32).
Under Taiwan’s traffic safety regulations, drivers who record a breath alcohol concentration of 0.15 milligrams per liter or a blood alcohol concentration of 0.03% or higher violate the Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act. Scooter riders face fines of NT$15,000–NT$90,000, while car drivers face fines of NT$30,000–NT$120,000.
In both cases, vehicles are impounded at the scene, and driver’s licenses are suspended for one to two years. License plates are suspended for two years, according to the Taipei City Police Department.
A breath alcohol concentration of 0.25 mg/L or a blood alcohol concentration of 0.05% or higher constitutes a criminal offense under Taiwan law. It carries a prison sentence of up to three years and a fine of up to NT$300,000.
Hsu signed with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2018, becoming the third Taiwanese player to join the organization. He was released in 2022, returned to Taiwan for the professional draft, and was selected by the CTBC Brothers.
“Alcohol increases the risk of over 60 diseases and health conditions. Driving under the influence is strictly prohibited.”
