Last year’s unsuccessful professional baseball demonstration, 50 this year

The demonstration game of professional baseball will be held in two years. On the 9th, KBO announced the schedule of the 2021 KBO League pilot matches. From the 20th to the 30th of the following month, 10 games per team, a total of 50 games, will be played.

The opening game is Jamsil Stadium in Seoul (Doosan Bears-KT Wiz), Sajik Stadium in Busan (Lotte Giants-Kium Heroes), Samsung Lions Park in Daegu (Samsung Lions-KIA Tigers), NC Park in Changwon (NC Dinos-SK Wyverns), Hanwha Daejeon. It will be held at Life Eagles Park (Hanwha Eagles-LG Twins). Incheon SK Happy Dream Stadium, Gwangju Kia Champions Field (above March 20-23), and Gocheok Sky Dome (all period), which cannot be used due to facility remodeling, were excluded. KBO said, “In consideration of the distance traveled by club, we made a match between teams that played practice games during the camp as much as possible.”

The first day’s gaze seems to be focused on Changwon. SK Wyverns, which was sold to Shinsegae Group E-Mart, goes to the ground for the first time wearing a uniform with a new team name. Interest is also expected to be focused on the first official game in which new coaches such as Ryu Ji-hyun (LG), Hong Won-ki (Keeum), Kim Won-hyung (SK), and Carlos Subero (Hanhwa) take the baton.

Last year, for the first time ever, there was a situation that opened without a demonstration game. Corona 19 has spread across the country since early March. The clubs who were running spring camps in the US and Japan fell into a panic. Many teams planned to stay more locally by extending the camp period, and then packed their luggage for fear of canceling their return flight. Even after returning home, practice matches between teams were completely banned. The actual inspection was very lacking. All clubs have refined their sense of actual combat with the Cheongbaekjeon in their own training grounds.

Although Corona 19 is still booming this year, KBO and clubs have come up with clear quarantine know-how. Last year’s 144 games in the regular season and the postseason were played safely and confidence gained. Even during the demonstration game, it plans to move in unison according to the quarantine manual. Even players who struggled to manage their physical condition last year will be able to build their bodies this year without significant variables.

All demonstration games are held at 1pm. There is no overtime, and canceled matches are not reorganized.

Reporter Bae Youngeun [email protected]