For the first time, high school and college players competed in a professional baseball stadium. The first Hanwha Eagles Baseball 2023 High School-College All-Star Game was held on the 6th. Players and even managers wore their school’s uniforms on the field, and the game ended in a tie for the pride of high school and college baseball.
But the event itself was more important than the result. While high school and college players have received attention from fans through baseball-themed entertainment programs and baseball-related media, this was the first time they were able to showcase their play in an official game. The players also seemed to have learned a lot from the tournament while making a name for themselves.
Jeon Damin (Gangneung Youngdong University), who won the MVP award, had a great performance in the game, hitting a three-run homerun, which made him stand out to the scouts. After the All-Star Game, he met with the players and coaching staff.
“I saw a lot of players I liked”
Lee Young-bok of Chungam High School came to Daejeon Baseball Stadium as the manager of the high school players in the All-Star Game.
“Compared to college players, high school players are smaller, but both teams gave us a good game,” he said. “We had to use all of our pitchers, so I was thinking, ‘If we had used one player longer, we would have won.
However, “we couldn’t get over the hump at the end, so we went to extra innings and tied it up. Rather, it was more meaningful because there was no ‘win’ or ‘loss’ in today’s game,” but he laughed, saying, “I think it’s a sign for next year’s game.”
Lee also appeared to be picking his favorites for the U-18 Baseball World Championship in Taiwan in September. “In my mind, I have my eye on some of them,” he said. Of course, I have to make a decision through the weekend league, the Qinglong Games, and the national tournament,” he said, “but it was good to see a lot of players I like through today’s game.”
“My first experience in a professional baseball stadium… I loved it” 토토사이트
The most notable player to emerge from the game was MVP Jeon Damin. The former Seorak High School and Gangneung Youngdong University student put on a performance worthy of an MVP, leading off the game with a triple, scoring a run, and stealing two bases.
“It was an honor to play against high school players in an all-star game with good players from many teams,” said Jeon, “and I was happy to be a part of it for the first time.”
“I think I hit a triple in the back of the lineup and got on base, but it was unfortunate that I struck out in the front of the lineup,” he said. “So when my name was called as MVP, I thought, ‘Can I take it?
For Jeon, the All-Star Game was the first time he stepped onto a professional baseball field. “It’s nice to have my name recognized,” he said, “and I learned that I like professional baseball stadiums,” he laughed. “I really want to win the remaining national championships,” he said.
“I want to be as good as my dad.”
Lee “Red Tomah” Byung-gyu, the son of Samsung Head Coach Lee Byung-gyu, also visited the Daejeon Hanwha Life Eagle Park. Lee showed off his father’s skills at the plate, going 2-for-3 and earning the honorable mention award.
“I’m grateful to the Hanwha Eagles for giving me this opportunity. “When I first came to the baseball stadium, I was surprised by the size of the stadium and the atmosphere,” he said, adding, “I hope this tournament is held every year so that the juniors can have a good experience.
Lee also expressed his admiration for Coach Lee Byung-kyu, saying, “It’s great that my dad played for 20 years in a ballpark with such a grand atmosphere.”
“If I go to the pros, I want to show good skills like my father,” he said, emphasizing, “I want to make sure that Whimun High School can do well in the national tournament for the rest of the year and win the beauty of the Yujong.”