All four games were sold out, setting an opening day attendance record of 96,800.

The Korea Baseball Organization, coming off an impressive 2008 season, got off to a great start on opening weekend.

Thousands of fans crowded Jamsil Stadium yesterday, matching Saturday’s sold-out crowd, and ticket scalpers were seen around subway exits.

The warm spring weather and various promotional events added to the festive mood. World Baseball Classic participants Ko Young-min and Kim Hyun-soo of Doosan and Lee Yong-kyu and Yoon Seok-min of KIA were seen signing autographs outside the stadium. The Doosan Bears, wearing retro hats and uniforms, eked out a 3-1 victory over the feisty KIA Tigers, giving them two wins out of the gate.

Defending champions SK Wyverns were able to pull out a 5-2 victory yesterday over the Hanhwa Eagles, managed by Kim In-sik, to even out the season opener with the Eagles.

The Lotte Giants, which finished atop the preseason standings, lost big to the Heroes at home, 10-1. Yeom Jong-seok, who retired at the end of last season, his 17th in the league, took a bow on the mound in a ceremonial event to honor his career.

The Samsung Lions beat the revamped LG Twins 5-3 behind a big four-run fifth inning to start the season undefeated.

All four opening day games were sold out, setting a total opening day attendance record of 96,800. It was the first time in league history all stadiums were filled to maximum capacity on opening day. The previous opening day attendance record was set in 2004 with 83,253 fans supporting their teams.

On Saturday, 30,500 fans showed up to watch the Doosan Bears beat the KIA Tigers 7-5 and 27,800 fans in Incheon watched their SK Wyverns lose to the Hanhwa Eagles 8-2. Meanwhile, the Samsung Lions treated 10,000 fans to a 6-2 victory over the LG Twins and 28,500 baseball-crazed fans in Busan saw the Giants edge the Heroes 3-2.

Munhak Baseball Stadium in Incheon, the home of the 2008 KBO champions the SK Wyverns, recorded its first opening day sell out in the team’s history. Munhak reduced its seating capacity by 2,600 seats for a total of 27,800 this season. It also added 923 seats in its new “Premium Zone,” which was sold out in less than an hour. The section includes a barbecue area complete with grills and tables, allowing fans to cook their own burgers and hot dogs.

Jamsil Baseball Stadium in southeastern Seoul, home of the Doosan Bears and LG Twins, hosted the Bears and the KIA Tigers on opening day with a sell-out crowd of 30,500 announced 15 minutes prior to the start of the game. It was welcome news for Doosan officials, who had faced two consecutive years of opening day rainouts in 2007 and 2008. The Bears were able to hold off a surge from the Tigers, which added to the excitement of the opening day festivities. Another draw was the appearance of Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, who threw the ceremonial first pitch.

Daegu Baseball Stadium, home of the Samsung Lions, also saw its seating capacity decrease by about 2,000 this season. Tables have been installed for some seats along the first and third baselines and the number of seats in the outfield area has been reduced to provide more space for fans.

Busan’s Sajik Baseball Stadium, home of the Lotte Giants, was barely able to reach its maximum capacity. The team installed an “Exciting Zone” near the dugout during the offseason, but construction on the 544-seat zone was delayed, which prevented advance reservations from being taken. The seats only sold out in the latter stages of the game.


Article posted: April 06, 2009
By Jason Kim [jason@joongang.co.kr]
source: joongangdaily.joins.com
credits: aeinsshi