While the MLB, NBA, and NFL may be postponing their seasons,
sports fans have one reason for hope and escape: Korean baseball. The games
being broadcast are available via ESPN, but more interesting are the quirks of the
sport itself.
Though smaller than the MLB pool, Korea does have the occasional
phenomenal talent worthy of the MLB, according to a New York Times
article on the subject. The story said that the Korean Baseball Organization,
or K.B.O., has a very offense-centric talent pool, with a very limited number
of ballparks. There are only around 65 to 70 schools in the country that play
baseball.
The Times reported that even
professional baseball players such as Josh Lindblom, a
pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers, was looking for live sports to watch and
plans on tuning in to catch these games. In fact, Lindblom played out four and
a half of his years as a player in the South Korean League.
One of the major complaints, even with live games occurring, is
the lack of fans, which many argue takes some of the fun and color out of live
games. Even more than in American baseball, Korean baseball is known for its
lively audiences. The Times stated that for every team, there is a
cheerleading squad that guides fans through the chants and songs, with tailor-made
tunes for each player at bat.
Among the key teams in the league,
some might say, are the Korean Yankees, Doosan Bears,
and the Kia Tigers. The best aspect of watching this game is still the
stars, which is really the fun part of any professional sport.
Although there are some parallels to be made between American and
Korean baseball, there are cultural differences as well, such as Korean
deference given when a pitch does hit a batter,
which is dictated especially by the status of the pitcher relative to the
hitter. The more senior the batter, the more gracious a bow is expected when the
ball finds a human target. And spitting on the field is currently forbidden,
The Times pointed out.
If you are looking to get into a live sport and don't mind a
little culture shock, this could become a strange addiction for you. (Culture
shock is often far superior to all other kinds of shock—or, at least, is the
most fun.)
