Last Saturday, the Korean pro-baseball season kicked off.
The league began the season with games in four stadiums nationwide.
Korea's pro-baseball league began in 1982 with six teams.
Now, the rules have changed adding 28 more games, bringing the total to 532 games in a seven-month season.


[Interview : Kim Chong, Professor of Sport Industry & Mngt.
Hanyang University] "The number of spectators surpassed five million last year. Baseball is the most popular sport in Korea. The system for media coverage and sponsorship is also the best developed among sports."

Sajik Baseball Stadium, where the Lotte Giants, who came in 3rd place last year are playing.
The stadium is crowded with people who have come to see their season opener.


[Interview : Park O-seong
Lotte Giants fan] "I got here a little early because I have been waiting the whole winter for Lotte's opening game."

The game between the Doosan Bears and Kia Tigers was so popular that tickets were completely sold out.
The first run scored was from a Tiger's swing.
Kia, batting in the first inning, took a quick run, giving the spectators something to cheer about.


[Interview : Kia Tigers fan] "They're doing great. It won't be a lame season like last year."

However, the Tigers' lead was short-lived.
The Bears broke loose and in the 5th inning Kim Dong-joo hit a double extending the lead to 5-1.


[Interview : Shim Ji-yeon
Doosan Bears fan] "It's great fun to have a date at the ball park. We're winning! Doosan was second runner up for two years in a row. I hope we come out on top this time."


[Interview : Jeff Gibson
USA] "It's very loud. The fans here are very intense. Two sides, they got those thundersticks. It's going nuts. It's awesome."

The game was a cause for celebration for Giants fans.
This was the first time in nine years that the Giants played an opening game on their home turf, the Sajik Stadium.
Spectators cheered as one for their teams.


[Interview : Lee Hak-yong
Lotte Giants fan] "I live for baseball. It gives me courage and hope. You would know if you lived in Busan. I got into baseball after moving here."

The Lotte Giants took the lead from the Heroes with a home-run and a double leading the game 3-2.
As the match was nearing its end, the Lotte Giants took their first win of the season ending the game with an easy pop fly.


[Interview : Lee Ju-hyeon
Lotte Giants fan] "I was worried that they might not be ready since it was the first game. But they did great. I'm happy."


[Interview : Jeong Mun-ho] "The World Baseball Classic put everybody in the mood for baseball. Baseball fever will not be dying out any time soon."

Korean baseball has undergone a renaissance with the 2009 WBC.
We hope to see their energy and passion take them to ever higher heights.


article: APR 07, 2009
Reporter: lanseo@naver.com / Arirang
credits: aeinsshi