Ulsan City has declared it will launch a citizen-owned baseball team next year, the first among local governments, but discord is already growing in the local baseball community.
There are only two regulation-size baseball stadiums in Ulsan, and after the city decided to use Munsu Baseball Stadium as the new team's home field, complaints are erupting that existing amateur clubs and school teams have effectively lost their place to play. Some amateur baseball members are strongly protesting, saying, "When we asked for an alternative facility, Ulsan City told us to 'use a soccer field.'"
Ulsan City signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) last month and announced it will launch a team aiming to enter the Futures League (minor league) next year. It plans to invest 6 billion won just for the budget needed to assemble the manager, coaching staff, and players. As Ulsan is the only metropolitan city without a home club and is taking its "first step," the city stressed the significance, saying it "will serve as a primer for revitalizing the local economy."
In fact, the popularity of professional baseball in Korea has been setting record highs every year. This year's pro baseball attendance surpassed 12 million, the highest ever. In line with this trend, Ulsan is hurrying to enter the baseball scene. Ulsan City argued, "If spectators who visit the stadium spend money in nearby commercial districts, it will naturally energize the local economy."
Reality, however, is not so easy. Ulsan has only two regulation baseball stadiums: Munsu Baseball Stadium and Jung-gu Baseball Stadium. Of these, Munsu will be used as the Ulsan team's home stadium starting next year, hosting 58 games. As a result, amateur clubs and elementary, middle, and high school baseball teams that have used the venue will effectively be unable to use it.
The backlash from the local baseball community began here. As baseball fans, the launch of a local team is something to welcome. But with no citizen consent or discussion and without even considering an alternative stadium, the team's launch has become unwelcome.
About 350 amateur teams are active in Ulsan, and at least more than 3,000 citizens take part in recreational baseball. Adding school baseball team members would increase the scale further.
Ulsan City Council member Son Myeong-hui said, "The five district and county baseball associations in Ulsan and recreational baseball clubs said they have never properly communicated with the city," adding, "When they demanded alternative facilities, the city gave the absurd response to 'use soccer fields.'"
There are also claims that reservations made months ago by some schools and clubs for Munsu Baseball Stadium were unilaterally canceled.
Criticism from civic groups is also spreading. The Ulsan Citizens' Solidarity said, "Daegu FC and Seongnam FC were grounded in voluntary support from citizens, but the Ulsan baseball team has never had its demands and process transparently disclosed," arguing, "The launch process itself ignores public consensus."
Regarding the city's plan to add 6,000 seats at Munsu Baseball Stadium, it also said, "The idea of building a larger venue than NC Park (Changwon) or Hanwha Life Ballpark (Daejeon) has unclear cost-effectiveness."
Corporate participation is essential for future promotion to the top-tier team, but Hyundai Motor already operates the Kia Tigers, and HD Hyundai responded that it has "no plans" to run a baseball team.
Whether the effect of revitalizing the local economy is realistic is also fueling controversy. While top-tier games are primarily held at night and on weekends, minor league games are mostly during the day. With crowds often around 100 people, some say the impact on nearby businesses is limited. A baseball industry official said, "Minor league games struggle to draw crowds, and it is virtually impossible to expect foot traffic large enough to move the local economy."
Despite the controversy, Ulsan City continues to stress the need for the launch. A city official said, "A citizen-owned team is necessary to broaden the base of baseball," adding, "We are discussing joint-use plans with amateur baseball members and are also securing additional stadiums that citizens can use."