The national team has lost to regional rivals South Korea and China recently, there were 102 illegal baseball betting cases in 2008 and the local professional league's attendances have fallen 45 per cent in the last five years.
"Baseball can be regarded as Taiwan's national sport, a widespread pastime with a rich tradition that has recently taken a big hit," said presidential office spokesman Tony Wang, as reported by Reuters.
President Ma Ying-jeou said the government would pay out the money over four years, and it would be used to increase the number of players, including by offering students incentives to take up the sport.
