Head coach Lee Kang-cheol of the baseball team 메이저놀이터 ahead of the 2023 World Baseball Classic (WBC) emphasized pitchers to adapt to the official ball.
On the 16th (local time), the national team led by coach Lee Kang-cheol won 8-2 in an evaluation match against NC at Veteran Memorial Stadium in Tucson, Arizona, USA. Even though the opponent was in the second group, it was worth giving meaning in terms of confidence.
Starting with starter Kim Gwang-hyeon, Ko Young-pyo, Jeong Cheol-won, Won Tae-in, Jung Woo-yeong, Lee Eui-ri, and Go Woo-seok started the mound that day. Regardless of the out count, they threw one inning each in a way to fill a certain amount of pitches quota.
Most of them were not in good shape yet, so they looked jagged. All of them demonstrated crisis management skills worthy of representative players, but the overall content was not smooth. It was also because he had not yet fully adapted to the official ball of the competition.
Coach Lee, who met with reporters after the game, pointed out this point. Director Lee said, “(Kim) Kwang-hyeon said, ‘The changeup is a little off and even if you throw a fastball, it bends a little like a cut fastball.’ said.
Regarding Jung Woo-young, who allowed 2 runs in the 5th inning that day, coach Lee evaluated, “I tried to check the pitch and pitch. I said it was good in the bullpen, but today it seems that the ball keeps getting pushed and falls out.”
Coach Lee also mentioned the WBC mandatory clause that the number of pitches in each game must be limited and that at least three batters must be dealt with, and said, “If (Jeong) Woo-young goes to base due to an error by a fielder and then loses a run, as in the situation today, it cannot be changed immediately, and the number of pitches There will be a situation where you can’t use it even the next day because of restrictions.”
“It’s a really headache situation. That’s why the fielders need to help the pitcher a little more,” he said. “In the case of pitchers, you need to think about throwing two strikes first. should have,” he stressed.
He said, “It means that it is better to enter the game quickly than to be greedy for strikeouts.” did.
Regarding major league infielders Kim Ha-seong and Tommy Hyun-soo Edmon, who are scheduled to join in March, Lee said, “They are basically good defensive players. (Oh) Ji-hwan or (Kim) Hye-seong are also good as backups, so the infield is fine.” He said, “I was thinking of placing Edmon and (Kim) Ha-seong in the front line, but (Choi) Jeong and (Kim) Hyeon-soo are in good condition, so I think I need to think more about it.”
Regarding Kang Baek-ho, who played an active role with 2 hits in 4 at-bats including 1 home run in the game that day, he said, “I am not in bad physical shape. I must have gained confidence through my performance today.”