"Our Neighborhood Baseball Chief" is expected to showcase the charm of elementary school baseball players as the baseball version of "Fly, Shootdori," which popularized youth soccer.
KBS held an online production presentation for its new 2TV variety program "Our Neighborhood Baseball Chief" (abbreviated as Baseball Chief) at 10 a.m. PD Lee Jeong-uk and managers Park Yong-taek, Lee Dae-ho, Kim Tae Kyun, and Na Ji-wan attended the event and, under the hosting of caster Lee Dong-geun, discussed the program.
Baseball Chief is a program that follows retired professional baseball stars as they each select U-10 youth players from the home regions of their former teams to form teams and then compete in an actual league. With legend players such as Park Yong-taek, Lee Dae-ho, Kim Tae Kyun, and Na Ji-wan serving as managers, and with the support of actor Kim Seungwoo, who serves as president of the Korea Little Baseball Federation (KLBF), the program is expected to deliver the fun of little league baseball to viewers through commentary by Lee Dae-hyung and casting by Lee Dong-geun.
PD Lee Jeong-uk, speaking about the lead-up to Baseball Chief's first broadcast, expressed excitement and nervousness, saying, "The professional baseball season has started, and since our program is starting too, I think we can present a good program at a good time, so I'm excited but also worried."
Lee Dae-ho, the manager, said, "I played as a player and now I'm acting as a manager. I'll do my best to show the Little Giants players at their best and always giving their all." Manager Park Yong-taek expressed his intention to join, saying, "I really hope the children who start baseball can grow up in a good environment." Na Ji-wan said, "Becoming a manager, I have no intention of losing to the seniors. As the Little Tigers' manager, it's an honor to be able to compete with the seniors. I want to create a good picture."
Manager Kim Tae Kyun added, "After retiring I have been very interested in expanding youth baseball's base and I was actually running baseball camps, so I'm thankful KBS made a good program. I'm happy to participate. I hope the young players do well and become the roots of professional baseball. I want to help the development of Korean professional baseball by coaching the players well and helping them discover the joy of baseball."
PD Lee Jeong-uk said confidently, "Since youth players are appearing, the kids are growing more. We expect they will improve by the end of the program, and we plan to include the growth story. Since the managers here are also trying managing for the first time, we'll portray that without filtering to create a story."
How were the four managers recruited? Kim Tae Kyun said, "When I was active I really enjoyed watching the soccer growth program 'Fly, Shootdori,' so I had expectations that a similar program would appear in baseball. After I retired I still missed the field. I thought I would roll around with the children once, so I did it."
Na Ji-wan said, "Becoming the Little Tigers' manager is something I've thought about since I was young, and because the purpose is so good I happily agreed." Park Yong-taek said, "For years I've thought a program like this would be fun. Finally KBS made such a program. I thought it would be fun," adding, "On the other hand, just as Lee Kang-in came from 'Shootdori,' I hope a player like that emerges from our Little Twins," raising expectations.
Manager Lee Dae-ho said, "I was so happy to be recruited. It was an honor to have the chance to teach youth kids. It made me happy to be able to wear the Giants uniform again in my heart. I teach the kids that baseball should be enjoyable but they also need a competitive spirit. I teach them they can win when young but also must learn how to lose. I hope they take baseball seriously when they play, and that that seriousness helps their growth."
Manager Lee Dae-ho disclosed the selection criteria, saying, "When selecting I looked at whether catch ball was done well or not. First of all, you have to be able to catch the ball. Because they're fourth graders, they drop the ball a lot and many games don't go well. When I asked elementary school managers, they advised that 'being able to catch ball is basic, and faster players are better,' so we selected that way."
Manager Park Yong-taek boasted, "Everyone seemed similar. We devoted 70-80% to catch ball and also looked at physicality. There is also a physiognomy that only 'baseball people' know. Of course when I say it it goes the other way, but I saw kids who made me think, 'They might be good at baseball.' The rate of development will be greatest for our team." Manager Na Ji-wan playfully added, "I also steadily tested their catch ball and running. The Little Tigers showed overwhelmingly good fundamentals. I even felt 'baseball is Gwangju.'"
Manager Kim Tae Kyun said with a laugh, "All our plans collapsed the moment tryouts began. We had no choice but to pick players who could at least grip the ball. Our team will have to take a lot of practice. Many have only six months to a year of experience and don't even know the rules. Teaching the rules and understanding of baseball was the main focus. To boast a little, they improve the fastest and are always bright. The atmosphere on the field is very good. Each has a character, so in terms of entertainment value I think our Little Eagles will be the most fun to watch. I ask fans to cheer so our 'underdog' kids can achieve a rebellion."
What characteristics do the managers sense in today's third- and fourth-grade elementary players? Lee Dae-ho said, "Their competitive spirit is the same as ours. If they play poorly or lose, they cry right away. It's embarrassing when they cry. You have to comfort them like a parent and be able to soothe them. The kids all have competitive spirit and things they've learned. If they get a little angry they try to show tears. So you have to show gentle charisma. I try to talk nicely."
Manager Park Yong-taek said, "I always tell them to enjoy it, but watching other teams their discipline was tight. But when I look at my players, if there isn't such discipline it's hard to control them. Kids these days are definitely honest. After a game they ask 'Wasn't it fun?' but some kids don't answer. They say, 'I couldn't play the game.' They're that honest. I think we need to educate them about that."
Manager Na Ji-wan said, "When Park Yong-taek said he pursues autonomous baseball, I said the Tigers' spirit is that you must not step out of the fence. In our Tigers no one can stand out. If someone drops out, we gather and do fighting again. I sent a strong message: if you want to cry, cry; if you want to leave, go. Also, I want to beat Manager Kim Tae Kyun here."
Manager Kim Tae Kyun emphasized, "It seems like people think they can take our team, but our team is the same. The emotional ups and downs are strong and there were moments of tears during games. But what's lovely about our Chungcheong players is that even if they cry in pain today, they come out the next day as if nothing happened and in one or two minutes they smile brightly, and seeing that I could keep going without giving up."
PD Lee Jeong-uk emphasized the program's viewing points, saying, "The format itself decides the champion and the last-place team, and the last-place team will be eliminated this season. There will be a point of which team will be eliminated. Growth and challenge are our program's core motto." The tension and laughter came from a situation where people who had never considered 'elimination' during their playing days now had to contemplate it as managers.
He added with a laugh, "Because they're young children, their emotional expression is free. They have competitive spirit, and when they're divided they cry, and when they're scolded they cry, showing emotions without filtering. Seeing those things, viewers will be able to immerse themselves too. They're kids who will cry and still grab a snack if there's one. I think that kind of sight will come across as cute to viewers."
The managers also talked about how today's youth differ from their own childhoods. Lee Dae-ho said, "It's definitely different from our time. First, they don't fear coaches or managers. They live like friends. Anyway, I really like how bright they are. Even if they don't do well, it's nice to see them improve by next week." Na Ji-wan added, "When I was young I couldn't catch the ball either. But now I feel Korea's baseball has clearly developed. Even while crying, the kids have the will to do it. They say, 'Manager, I came mentally prepared!' The mindset itself has changed from when we were young."
Kim Tae Kyun said, "From fourth grade I was the leadoff hitter, shortstop, and pitcher; I did everything. You can feel that current players are that skilled. I was very shy and never approached managers or coaches first. Now players even ask during practice, 'Manager, what batting order am I?' Even if I'm thinking, 'I wasn't in the lineup,' they came with expectations, so it makes me think. That boldness seems different from our time."
Given how outstanding they were as players, their curiosities about Baseball Chief were different. Park Yong-taek and Kim Tae Kyun earned numerous nicknames during their playing days. Would they want new nicknames from Baseball Chief? Park Yong-taek said, "There's something I don't have: 'Champion-taek.' I want to have 'Champion-taek.'" Kim Tae Kyun added, "If nicknames were given based on my active days, this time I hope people will give a nickname for the Little Eagles after watching our players."
Lee Dae-ho also drew attention for news that his son Lee Ye-seung participated in the tryouts. He said, "Rather than baseball potential, I looked at him coldly as a fourth-grade player. Because he's my son I watched thinking I should pick him only if he does a bit better. Anyway, if Ye-seung has good results or shows good form, I'll feel good. I won't show it on the broadcast. I'll praise him at home. It can't be helped. As a father, if he does well my mouth will show a smile."
Youngest manager Na Ji-wan was asked if he felt nervous competing with his seniors. He said, "I have friendships from my playing days, but my career is shorter than the elders', so I'm more nervous. But since we're on the same level now, as a manager I want to be at a higher place. I'll approach it with a learning mindset."
They also talked about ambitions as professional baseball leaders. Lee Dae-ho said, "A person must have ambition. I have dreams and ambitions and always have desire to be Giants manager. I spent my career with that team so I've always dreamed about it. I also want to try managing the national team. I dream of the fun of managing other teams alongside the managers here who once had good results."
Park Yong-taek said, "I'm almost 50, and life doesn't always go as I want. There won't be a retired player without that dream. Later I think I might be able to do work for the Twins."
Kim Tae Kyun confessed, "People around me worry and ask why I don't return to the field since I do commentary and broadcasting. We're also studying and preparing outside, so if the opportunity arises I'd like to go back to the field and help the development of baseball."
Baseball Chief will premiere on Sunday the 12th at 9:20 p.m.
[Photo] Provided by KBS.
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