NEW YORK (WCBS 880) — While baseball fans wait and hope for an MLB season, many have been getting their fix from the KBO in South Korea. After a five-week delay, the 10-team league started in early May playing in empty stadiums. ESPN signed a deal to televise six regular season KBO games per week. Live broadcasts begin anywhere from 1:00 a.m. to 5:30 a.m. eastern, and people are watching!
“Who would stay up for random baseball in the middle of the night?” asked MLB KBO Insider Daniel Kim, who contributes to the ESPN broadcasts. “We weren’t quite sure what to expect. But all the feedback that we’re seeing on social media has been great.”
WCBS 880 Morning Sports Anchor Brad Heller spoke to Kim on a Zoom video call from South Korea. Kim actually grew up in Flushing and spent 8 seasons working for the Mets. He served as an interpreter for pitcher Jae Weong Seo. His home studio is full of Mets’ memorabilia.
“I was in New York when 9/11 hit,” said Kim. “I know how baseball can bring people together and give people back some normalcy they really, really need in times like this. The Korean Baseball Organization is very happy to be able to give the fans back in the States a little bit of what they’ve been missing.”
That includes big home runs and even bigger bat flips, which got Howie Rose’s attention on his brand new Twitter account. Mets’ fans will recognize names like Drew Gagnon, Chris Flexen, and Aaron Altherr on KBO rosters. Former Nationals’ Manager Matt Williams is managing the Kia Tigers.
Kim says it was a smooth start to the season with all the safety regulations in place. Everyone gets their temperature checked when they enter the ballpark. Coaches and umpires must wear masks and gloves on the field. Players are encouraged not to high-five, chew tobacco, and spit.
“You don’t think about it before you high-five somebody, you just do it.” Kim said. “So players needed time to make some adjustments on that, but I think they’ve got it down now. I think players are getting used to the new environment.”
If there is a positive test for COVID-19, the league automatically shuts down for three weeks. So while it might not be the perfect setting, Kim reminds us that it’s not time to complain. Some baseball is better than no baseball at all.
Daniel Kim goes into more detail about KBO games in empty stadiums and what life is currently like in South Korea during the pandemic. Check out the full conversation above.