"Our Neighborhood Baseball Chief" coaches expressed their determination in facing games with elementary school third- and fourth-grade youth players.
KBS held an online press conference on the morning of the 10th for the new 2TV entertainment program "Our Neighborhood Baseball Chief" (abbreviated Baseball Chief). At the event, PD Lee Jeong-uk and directors Park Yong-taek, Lee Dae-ho, Kim Tae Kyun, and Na Ji-wan attended and discussed the program under the moderation of caster Lee Dong-geun.
"Baseball Chief" is a program that follows retired professional baseball stars as they each select U-10 youth players from their home clubs' localities, 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 appearing as managers, and with actor Kim Seungwoo, who serves as president of the Korea Little Baseball Federation (KLBF), providing support, the program is expected to convey the fun of little league baseball to viewers through commentary by Lee Dae-hyung and play-by-play by Lee Dong-geun.
What characteristics do the coaches feel about today's elementary school third- and fourth-grade players? Lee Dae-ho said, "Their competitive spirit is the same as ours. If they play poorly or lose, they cry immediately. It's disconcerting when they cry. You have to be able to console them with a father's heart and 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 be able to show a gentle charisma. I try to talk to them kindly," he said.
Manager Park Yong-taek said, "I always tell them to enjoy themselves, but when I see other teams, their discipline is tight. But when I see my players, without that, control can be a bit difficult. Kids these days are definitely frank. After a game, I ask, 'Wasn't it fun?' and some kids don't answer. They say, 'I couldn't play in the game.' They're that honest. I think we need to educate them about that as well," he said.
Manager Na Ji-wan said, "When Manager Park Yong-taek said he pursues autonomous baseball, I said it's the Tigers' spirit: you can't get out of the fence. Our Tigers don't let anyone stand out. If someone drops the fighting spirit, we gather again and do it. If you want to cry, cry; if you want to leave, go,' he delivered a strong message. He added, "Also, I want to beat Manager Kim Tae Kyun here," he said.
Manager Kim Tae Kyun emphasized, "It seems like they want to take our team, but our team is the same. Their emotions swing strongly, and there were moments of tears during games. But what's pretty about our Chungcheong-do players is that even if they hurt enough to cry today, they come out the next day as if nothing happened, and after one or two minutes they smile brightly, and seeing that clear look allowed me to keep going without giving up," he emphasized.
"Baseball Chief" will premiere on Sunday the 12th at 9:20 p.m. <
[Photo] Provided by KBS.
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