SK director Kim Won-hyung is answering questions from reporters at the training center in Seogwipo, Jeju on the 1st. Provided by SK Wyverns.
SK, having received the shocking news of the’baseball team takeover’ from the beginning of the new year, cleared off worries and concerns, and began training in Jeju with the aim of becoming the top in the 2021 season.
On the 1st, SK started a spring camp in the 2021 season at the baseball field of Gangchanghak Park, Seogwipo City, Jeju. 43 people participated, including pitchers (21), catchers (4) and fielders (18). In addition to the free agent (FA) contract and’Sign and Trade’, Choi Joo-Hwan and Kim Sang-soo, who were transferred respectively, and 2021 rookie Myung-jun Go (infielder) were included. Foreign players Jamie Romac and Arty LeWiki, who arrived early last month, also trained on this day.
With the news of the sudden sale of the club on the 26th of last month, the coaches and the team had a somewhat upset time. In fact, on this day’s photo wall (interview backdrop), only’Incheon’ was engraved with the SK logo and the red, which was the symbol color of the Wyverns club, omitted. New coach Kim Won-hyung (49) confessed, “This is the first time since I played baseball, so I was nervous and burdened.” However, coach Kim said, “Change is soon a new beginning” and “I want to start anew with the players.”
In particular, he appreciated the fact that the players who were stimulated by the low-ranking performance last season are taking the lead. Coach Kim said, “I have not checked all the players’ non-season schedules, but according to the words I heard, the players’ determination for the new season is great.” .
The biggest interest of SK Wyverns fans who are facing a new change is the name, uniform, and emblem of the new baseball team that Shinsegae Group will decide. This contract will be signed on the 23rd, but the club name and uniforms are expected to be unveiled until March 23rd, when the demonstration game begins. In addition, there is a high possibility of wearing a’temporary uniform’ for exchange matches with other teams before the demonstration game. When this happens, the existing uniform with’SK’ written on it will be the last to disappear from this Jeju Spring Camp. Manager Kim emphasized, “The name of the baseball team and uniform are important, but for players, this is the most important time to determine the performance of the season.” At the headquarters of the Shinsegae Group, four people, including vice president-level executives, visited the training ground and held a meeting with coach Kim Won-hyung and the team, showing an active move.
SK Wyverns players are warming up at the spring camp training ground in Gangchanghak Baseball Stadium in Seogwipo City, Jeju on the 1st. Provided by SK Wyverns.
The topic of this camp is likely to be’defense’. The SK defenders struggled throughout the season with 99 mistakes last season. Compared to the second place in 2019 (87), it was a bit disappointing. Coach Kim said, “I plan to spend a lot of time on defense training. A certain amount of training is an essential factor in the process of building a body.”
They also expressed positive opinions about the warm weather and training facilities in Jeju. As it rained all morning this morning, the athletes replaced with some indoor training, but as the rain gradually weakened after 3pm, I went outside to relax lightly. Director Kim said, “The weather is warmer than expected, so there will be no difficulty in raising the condition,” he said. “Although it is not large, it is also positive that there is an indoor training ground.”
It is known that SK-born major leaguer Kim Gwang-hyun (St. Louis) will also prepare for the season with his former colleagues on the 3rd. Kim Kang-min said, “(Kim) Kwang-hyun was rather worried about me (team atmosphere, etc.).” So,’There is no home team you will return to. “Don’t come back doing better in America,” he laughed.
Meanwhile, 10 professional baseball teams began training in the 2021 season at once. The field training, which continues until mid-March for each club, will be held in Korea, including Seoul, Gyeonggi and Gyeongnam, Jeju in the aftermath of a novel coronavirus infection (Corona 19).
Jeju Kang Joo-hyung reporter [email protected]
News directly edited by the Hankook Ilbo can also be viewed on Naver.
