[ENG] [Sports] Baseball

0. What is baseball

Baseball is a sport played between two teams of nine players who alternate between offense and defense.

A match consists of 9 innings, with offense and defense alternating between innings.

On the offensive team, the batter hits the ball, and on the defensive team, the pitcher and defenders throw and catch the ball to block the opposing team's attack. The batter comes to the plate to hit the ball, and the pitcher throws the ball to block his hit. The defender who catches the ball throws the ball to make an out, or catches the ball and prevents the opposing team from attacking. The game is switched off and on when 3 outs occur.

1 out means that the batter is out, and when there are 3 outs, the offense and defense change occurs.

If the score is the same, extra innings are played to determine the winner. Based on these rules, a baseball game can calculate various statistics related to players as well as customers, and has various meanings, such as the players achieving good results in world competitions as a national representative.

 

0. Origin of the first baseball

Baseball's exact origins are not clear, but it is believed to have originated and developed in the United States.

Baseball began to gain popularity in the United States in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, and the first baseball league was founded in 1876. Sports similar to baseball existed before, but baseball with precise rules and roles of players was established for the first time. Since then, baseball has been developing and gaining popularity all over the world beyond the United States. Baseball was introduced to Korea in the early 1910s when the Japanese immigrated to Korea. Afterwards, Korean students studying in the United States learned baseball and returned home to play baseball in their schools or clubs, gaining popularity. As baseball became popular all over the country, in 1923,

Korea's first baseball organization, the Joseon Baseball Association, was established. And in 1946, the professional baseball team 'Dong-Ail' was founded, and professional baseball began from now on. Until now, Korean baseball has a tradition and history, and Korean professional baseball is called the KBO League, and there are many teams such as SK Wyverns, Doosan Bears, LG Twins, Samsung Lions, and KT Wiz.

 

0. Korean baseball record

Recently, our country's baseball performance is relatively poor. As of 2021, it is ranked 6th in the world baseball rankings. Even the teams that have won domestic leagues in recent years are facing challenges, such as failing to achieve great results in international competitions. However, in the past, Korean baseball players have performed well in world competitions. A prime example is the experience of winning the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Also, in the World Baseball Classic, which started in 2006, it was runner-up in the 2009 competition.

Due to these achievements, Korean baseball players have enjoyed great popularity in Korea. The recent performance of our country's baseball is showing a little disappointing look. In 2017, we had good results such as winning the World Baseball Classic and gathered expectations, but after that, we were unable to achieve good results in international competitions. In particular, at the World Baseball Softball K-Pop Festival held in Japan in 2021, he failed to show a good figure, such as being eliminated in the quarterfinals. But in the past, baseball in our country was very strong in the world.

In addition to winning the 2008 Beijing Olympics, he also won the 2009 World Baseball Classic. And in 2015, there was a time when Korean baseball was strong, such as winning the Asian Professional Baseball Championship held in Japan.

 

0. The future of baseball in Korea

Baseball in Korea requires efforts to develop players and secure popularity along with performance. Systematic training and a strengthened start-up system are required for the development of the athletes, and for this purpose, the expansion and development of sports facilities must be carried out.

To gain popularity, it's important not only to watch a baseball game, but to participate in it. Along with baseball education, it is necessary to activate amateur baseball teams and create a rich baseball culture.

To this end, sports associations and local governments need to expand baseball education programs and prepare systems such as support for participation fees for amateur baseball teams. In addition, it is necessary to actively utilize sports IT technology, which is a global trend these days. In the future, it is possible to increase the interest and participation of the audience by using various technologies in watching baseball games and sports broadcasting.

This requires efforts to develop and introduce new technologies and services that combine baseball and IT technology.

To do this, we must work on improving the skills and stamina of our players. In addition, clubs and leagues must raise the popularity of baseball and the level of players through financial support, facility improvement, and marketing strategies. Lastly, we need to further spread the culture of enjoying baseball.

To do this, it is important to create a baseball culture that people of all ages can enjoy, from children to adults.

To this end, you can use methods such as holding baseball tournaments or events in local communities, creating and broadcasting baseball-related programs, and holding various events at baseball fields.

In this way, our country's baseball will be able to develop further and grow into a baseball powerhouse with global competitiveness.

Many experts say that providing opportunities for players to gain experience in a major league like MLB is important for the future of baseball in Korea.

To this end, the success of Korean players such as Lee Jung-hoo and Kim Ha-seong, who are currently playing for MLB clubs, is very important.

In addition, it will be necessary to improve the performance of the national baseball team, improve the performance of the domestic league, cooperate with the intention of participating in the national team of foreign professional league players, and improve the domestic sports infrastructure.

In addition, efforts in various fields such as detailed improvement of the player development system and improvement of regional stadiums will be needed.

Recently, in Korean baseball, opinions are being raised that more attention and investment are needed in player development and club management. In particular, systematic training and health management of players are important in player development, and financial soundness and strategic human resource management are essential in club management

In addition, the role of the pitcher is becoming more important in recent batting player-oriented baseball.

Therefore, it is expected that the future direction of baseball in Korea should pay more attention to pitcher development and pitcher-centered strategic game development. In addition, in order to produce competitive players in the global market, one of the important tasks is to enter overseas markets and provide opportunities for players to gain various experiences. To this end, clubs need to make more efforts to advance overseas and attract prominent foreign players. Lastly, we need even more interest and support from the people who love baseball.

Clubs should raise awareness of baseball among local residents through activities in close contact with the local community, and provide various programs related to baseball to discover talented people who love baseball and encourage the passion of players.

 

0. How to try to overcome the gap and limitations with MLB and KBO

MLB and KBO are completely different baseball leagues. MLB is one of the world's highest-level baseball leagues, and has many excellent players from around the world.

On the other hand, the KBO is a baseball league played in Korea, and mainly consists of players active in Korea.

In order to close the gap between MLB and KBO, we need to make efforts to improve the quality of baseball in Korea.

To do this, we need to develop our country's baseball infrastructure. To achieve this, the following efforts are required. Baseball requires not only active performance but also good baseball facilities. thus, In our country, baseball facilities need to be improved and expanded.

Baseball players need to be educated as players as well as stamina and technique. To this end, it is necessary to improve the talent development system and provide systematic training and support.

Through exchanges with foreign players, the level of baseball in Korea can be improved. To this end, efforts such as increasing exchanges with overseas leagues are necessary.

As baseball culture develops and popularity rises, many people will be interested in it and make efforts to learn and improve baseball.

Through these efforts, we will be able to raise the level of baseball in our country and close the gap with MLB.

 

0. Direction for the development of baseball in Korea

In order for Korean baseball to achieve better results in global competitions, efforts are needed to narrow the gap between MLB and KBO and overcome limitations. First of all, we need to actively induce player transfers between MLB and KBO.

Through this, Korean baseball players can build experience and skills in MLB, and they can grow in a way that applies them to Korean baseball again. In addition, Korean baseball teams need to improve training methods and strategies, and support players to maximize their abilities.

To this end, the Korean Baseball Association must strive to secure modern training facilities and professional coaches.

In addition, it is necessary to try new attempts and changes while maintaining the existing baseball culture.

For example, recently, instead of the existing nine-player baseball, a small-scale baseball tournament consisting of three players is attracting attention.

Through these new attempts, our country's baseball can develop in a more diverse and creative direction. Lastly, it is also important to spread the culture of enjoying baseball. The more our country's baseball culture becomes more active, the more talented people will enjoy baseball, and the more people will be interested in baseball.

To do this, it is necessary to make information about baseball more accessible and to create an environment in which baseball can be enjoyed more.

In order for Korean baseball to become a world-recognized baseball powerhouse, efforts to develop skills, strategies, and baseball culture are needed as much as the players' abilities. If these efforts are actively made, our country's baseball will grow even faster.

 

0. KBO's publicity and marketing strategy

KBO's publicity and marketing strategies are primarily driven by the following methods:

TV Broadcast: KBO games are broadcast on many TV channels, including major sports channels.

This allows many viewers to enjoy KBO.

Use of social media: KBO actively utilizes social media such as Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. We strengthen our relationship with fans by communicating with them by sharing game results and highlights.

Events and Sponsorships: The KBO frequently holds events for game spectators. In addition, we provide various benefits to game spectators through sponsorships with companies.

Promotional Advertising: The KBO informs the public through advertising.

Through advertisements, KBO game schedules and player introductions are widely known to the public.

Overseas Expansion: KBO is gaining popularity overseas as well.

We broadcast KBO games overseas and attract foreign players to participate.

In addition, we are striving to expand overseas markets by providing overseas sports viewing to KBO game spectators. In this way, KBO is increasing its audience numbers, strengthening communication with fans, and raising awareness.

In addition, based on this, KBO is laying the foundation for further development and growth. KBO is using various promotional and marketing strategies to compete with other baseball leagues competing in the domestic baseball market. The KBO places great importance on increasing spectator satisfaction by improving the quality of games and facilities.

To this end, we are improving the facilities to further improve the skills of the players and improving the rules for better competition.

KBO has recently been focusing more on marketing strategies using social media.

BO provides a variety of content on social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Through this, KBO's new news and information are delivered promptly and interaction with fans is increased.

KBO is holding various events and promotions to increase the satisfaction of game spectators.

For example, we provide more value to spectators through promotions such as events that give KBO special goods free of charge when purchasing game tickets or discount benefits when watching games.

KBO is conducting advertising and sponsorship through various marketing channels.

KBO advertises through sports-related media and generates revenue by forming partnerships with various companies through sponsorship. KBO is advancing overseas to grow in overseas markets as well.

KBO participates in various baseball competitions and events held overseas, and is also advancing overseas beyond the domestic baseball market.

One of the KBO's marketing strategies is events at the stadium.

At KBO Stadium, various events are held to attract spectators' participation and interest.

Events include pre-game goods or service presentations, pao-kae during the game, and draws.

This allows spectators to watch the game while enjoying additional fun outside of the game.

KBO also holds various fan events in cooperation with each team's fan club.

Through this, we are trying to attract the attention of fans and increase the attendance rate. In addition, KBO is promoting through various channels to attract a new fan base.

For example, we use publicity through SNS, newspaper advertisements, broadcast advertisements, and various club events. In particular, recently, KBO's official YouTube channel has attracted fans' attention by releasing game highlight videos. In addition, we are conducting activities to promote KBO to overseas markets.

In 2020, they signed a contract to broadcast KBO games live in Japan, drawing attention from Japanese viewers.

In addition, KBO is also conducting marketing using the popularity of players.

For example, by conducting advertisements or sponsorships modeled on specific players, we are increasing the connection between players and fans and attracting fans' attention.

In addition, KBO operates various programs to enhance the relationship between fans and clubs and players and clubs. For example, there are press conferences with fans, meetings between fans and players, events between fans and clubs, and more.

Overall, KBO provides a variety of channels and content for fans to enjoy and be interested in baseball, It seems that we will continue to collect opinions from fans and strive for the development of baseball.