The heavy rain didn’t dampen the national team’s enthusiasm. This enthusiasm impressed even the “No. 4 hitter of Joseon”.
The South Korean women’s national baseball team, led by former Lotte-LG manager Yang Sang-moon, is in the midst of a week-long intensive training camp in Changwon, Gyeongsangnam-do.
With the full support of the Changwon Baseball and Softball Association, the team has been using the ‘Changwon 88 Olympic Baseball Stadium’ for free since the 14th of this month and will continue to train until the 20th.
Shin Noo-ri, the eldest member of the team and an outfielder, said, “It’s the first time we’ve been together for this long. It’s definitely an environment where we can focus on baseball, so I think it’s a good time to fill in the gaps, whether it’s baseball or strength training.”
With heavy rains across the country, Changwon was no exception. The team was scheduled to play a friendly game against Changmiya, a women’s social baseball team based in Changwon, on the 16th, but the game was unfortunately canceled due to the steady rain.
Meanwhile, on the 17th, Lotte Giants legend Lee Dae-ho (41) visited Changwon as a one-day coach for the women’s national baseball team.
National team outfielder Yang Seo-jin said, “It was great to see Lee Dae-ho, whom I have always admired, in person, and he explained his unique hitting know-how in a way that was easy to understand. He explained his batting stance, the timing of hitting the ball, and what he does when he plays. He said a lot of good things, so it was a meaningful time,” she smiled.
Outfielder Shin No-ri is a longtime Lotte Giants fan. He finally met Lee Dae-ho not as a fan but as a national team player. “It was very exciting and nice to receive one-point instruction from the ‘No. 4 hitter of Joseon,’ whom I have been watching for more than 10 years, and to see Lee Dae-ho bat up close,” he smiled.
“Lee Dae-ho answered each of the players’ questions and gave them enthusiastic guidance by demonstrating with his body, and he also advised them that their hitting point was too far forward and that they could hit as they wanted by pulling it back a little further,” said Shin Nuri.
“I’ve always wanted women’s baseball to do well, and I came to Changwon because coach Yang Sang-moon and (close friend) Jung Geun-woo gave me a great opportunity,” Lee told Sports Seoul after traveling to Changwon from his busy schedule.
“I could tell that the girls on the team really love baseball and are very sincere. I was touched by their willingness to learn more and ask questions.” “He talked about the mindset of a baseball player. “He talked about the mindset of a baseball player, because the simpler you think at the plate, the better the results will be.
Finally, Lee Dae-ho, who has performed in numerous international tournaments as a member of the national team, told the women’s baseball team, “I hope you will take pride in representing Korea in international tournaments. If we do our best in every play, good results will follow. Go, Korea Women’s National Baseball Team!” and shared a message of support.안전놀이터
Meanwhile, the Korean women’s national baseball team will depart for Thunder Bay, Canada, on Aug. 6 for five days of qualifying matches for the 2023 World Baseball Classic (WBSC) from Aug. 8 to 12 (local time).
South Korea (ranked 10th in the world) is in Group A of the qualifiers alongside Canada (3rd), USA (4th), Australia (8th), Hong Kong (11th) and Mexico (12th). The top two teams from each of Group A and B, as well as two wildcards (third-place finishers), will advance to the World Baseball Classic early next year. The national team will be looking to qualify for the first time ever.