One thing that is certain is that since the 1998 Bangkok Games, professional players have participated in Asian Games baseball, and the level of difficulty in hunting for a gold medal has become the highest. By applying the Asian Games national team’s own regulations, the basic age of participating players was limited to 25 years old or younger, and the selection of three wild cards was also limited to 29 years old or younger in the name of generational change, so there were many difficulties in forming the team. In addition, the Taiwanese and Japanese national teams are evaluated as the strongest of all time at the Asian Games level.
National team coach Ryu Joong-il faced a critical week in organizing the final roster of the national team, which was confused due to the injury and departure of Lee Jeong-hoo (Kiwoom), a key player in offense and defense.
It is a situation where an outfielder must be selected to replace Lee Jeong-hoo. This is because the only professional outfielders currently on the national team’s final roster are Choi Ji-hoon (SSG) and Choi Won-jun (KIA).
Manager Ryu said in a phone call on the 17th, “Considering the composition, we need to fill one outfielder.” Manager Ryu postponed talking about specifics as related procedures are necessary until the official announcement, but it appears that there is a player who has his eye on the new outfielder card.
Additional work is to check the performance of players who have been absent due to injury. Among them, the priority task is to check the overall performance, including velocity and pitch, of Koo Chang-mo (NC), who has not been able to stand on the mound since the LG game on June 2nd due to a left forearm injury.안전놀이터
Coach Ryu was scheduled to visit Masan Stadium on the 16th with KBO Power Strengthening Committee Chairman Jo Gye-hyun to watch Koo Chang-mo pitch against the second team Sangmu, but the game was canceled due to rain, so he had to replace it with observing bullpen pitching.
Accordingly, as Koo Chang-mo adjusted his actual appearance schedule to the 2nd team Iksan KT match on the 19th, Coach Ryu and Chairman Cho also decided to take a little more time. Koo Chang-mo’s maximum velocity stayed at around 140km in bullpen pitching, but it appears that he will need to increase his velocity a little more in actual pitching to receive a clear passing grade.
National team officials plan to intensively check not only Koo Chang-mo but also players with recent injury history in all areas this week. Recently, he shook off shoulder discomfort and returned to the first team mound. Lee Ui-ri (KIA), who skipped the rotation after having his entry canceled due to a finger blister, is expected to be one of the subjects of light inspection against Daejeon Hanwha on the 21st.
There are only 24 baseball entries for the Asian Games. Each person’s use is important. Accordingly, Coach Ryu believes that no player should hesitate to be selected due to injury or physical condition. Director Ryu is expected to hold another internal discussion on the 20th and then confirm the timing of the announcement.
It might be a fateful week for the baseball team. We have entered the third day where Director Ryu’s actions and judgment have become very important. The national team convenes on the 23rd.