'Baseball queen' manager Choo Shin-soo said, "The goal is to win the national women's baseball tournament, and I think it's definitely achievable," expressing a bold aim.
Channel A's new sports variety show 'Baseball queen', in which legendary female athletes from different sports challenge the stage called 'baseball', will premiere at 10 p.m. on the 25th (Tue). Meanwhile, Choo Shin-soo, who has taken the role of manager of the women's baseball team 'Black Queens', revealed in an interview the reasons he came to lead the team, his goals, and viewing points.
Choo Shin-soo explained why he actively participated in founding the women's baseball team, saying, "I wanted to show that women are not just people who cheer in the stands, but that they can run and take on challenges directly on the field." Regarding the roster of elite members, he said, "These are athletes who reached the top in their respective sports, so they have the stubbornness to keep going until they succeed, and they are definitely different in passion and attitude," emphasizing, "The growth shown in just three months since founding is truly astonishing."
About his coordination with Director General Park Se-ri, he said, "She is someone I have wanted to meet for a long time, and actually working together our chemistry is really good," adding, "The director general carefully takes care of the players' emotional needs, which is a great support to me and to the players." Finally, Choo Shin-soo expressed determination about his first managerial challenge, saying, "The goal is to win the national women's baseball tournament, and I think it's definitely achievable," raising expectations for the 'Black Queens' performance.
Channel A's 'Baseball queen', which will follow Manager Choo Shin-soo and the journey of 15 'legendary athletes', will air its first episode at 10 p.m. on the 25th (Tue).
1. What led you to accept the managerial position of the 'Black Queens', and what made you actively support the founding of a new women's baseball team?
-Honestly, if the team had been made up of ordinary people, I probably wouldn't have accepted the managerial position. But these were all athletes who had played sports, and as I met each person who had even reached the top in their respective sports, I definitely felt, 'This will be different,' so I took the job.
Also, even though I was a baseball player, I was so sorry that I didn't know there were so many women's baseball players and teams. So when founding the 'Black Queens', I wanted to show that women are not just people who cheer in the stands, but that they can run and take on challenges directly on the field. I wanted to give courage by showing, 'I can play baseball too.'
2. I heard sharp entry tests were conducted during the roster selection stage. What clear criteria did you set when selecting players?
-I thought every player had at least one strength, but in my view they needed to have two or three basic abilities firmly in place. I focused intensively on overall abilities such as running, catching, and hitting.
3. During the first meeting and training process, which player particularly caught your eye?
-From the first meeting, the players I felt 'would make it' were Song Ah and Jang Soo-young. Jang Soo-young comes from badminton and Song Ah from tennis, and both sports require handling fast balls, so I thought their mechanisms would be somewhat similar to baseball. In the actual tests, even when I threw the ball quickly, both of them hit it really well. In particular, Jang Soo-young can throw better than many pitchers in women's baseball teams today.
A player who stood out during training was Ju Su-jin, who is from soccer. She is really fast on her feet and slides very naturally and well. She did not stand out much during the testing stage, but you could clearly see her skills improve the more she trained.
4. What would you say is the greatest strength of the 'Black Queens', composed of elite members?
-The biggest strengths of the Black Queens are passion and stubbornness. They are all players who reached the top in their own sports, so they have the drive to keep going until they succeed, and their attitude is clearly different. Their training volume is overwhelming. Growing this much in three months since founding is actually unreal, but their outstanding mentality made it possible. That's why I'm more excited about the future.
5. How do you feel about working with Director General Park Se-ri for the first time in a team sport?
-She is someone I really wanted to meet in person, and the director general listens well to others, so our chemistry is very good. Taking on the role of manager of the 'Black Queens' for the first time, I realized that the feedback needed differs depending on each player's disposition, and the director general carefully cares for players' concerns that I might miss. That is a great help to me and to the players.
6. As manager, what is your resolve and goal in leading the 'Black Queens'?
-The goal is, of course, to win the national women's baseball tournament, and I think it's definitely achievable. Furthermore, my ultimate goal is for a player from our team to become a member of the women's national baseball team.
7. Finally, please tell us the 'viewing points' of 'Baseball queen'.
-At first they will be lacking and clumsy, but the process of growing over time will be really fun to watch. The popularity of Korean professional baseball is rising, and the female fan base is strong. I hope many people will feel through this program that baseball is a sport women can also challenge.
[Photo] Channel A
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