As the professional baseball season is set to open on the 22nd, players are struggling with conditioning due to unexpected cold weather.

NC Dinos manager Lee Ho-jun noted ahead of a preseason game against the Hanwha Eagles on the 16th at Changwon NC Park, "The pitchers have not been able to throw much."

NC's game against Hanwha was canceled due to rain on the 15th, and with rain in the forecast for the 16th, the status of the game is uncertain. On the 17th and 18th, NC is scheduled to face the LG Twins at Jamsil Stadium, but there is a high possibility of snow, which means they might not be able to play four consecutive games.

Lee Ho-jun lamented, "Logan was scheduled to be the starting pitcher yesterday, but due to the rainout, he had to settle for live pitching. The intensity is inevitably lower compared to a formal game, and the velocity did not come out at 100 percent."

NC and Hanwha had considered conducting mini-games ahead of this day's game to help players adjust to real-game conditions. Although it did not come to fruition due to various reasons, it highlights the extent of concerns for the management.

Lee Ho-jun said, "If today's game proceeds as scheduled, starting pitcher Riley is expected to throw 85 pitches over 5 innings."

Kim Tae-kyung and Shin Min-hyuk, who are set to pitch in two consecutive games against LG, plan to be replaced with Futures pitching depending on weather conditions. Lee Yong-chan and Shin Young-woo are also expected to participate in the Futures game, so the management of the Futures team's mound could get tangled. Both starting and relief pitchers need to pitch in succession to hone their skills, but the weather presents significant challenges.

Hanwha manager Kim Kyung-moon noted a similar sentiment. He said, "With rain clouds gathering, if the amount of precipitation is not significant, shouldn't the game be played? While position players can be rested, it's different for pitchers. Especially starting pitchers, they need to be mindful since their bodies remember."

There was also a thought to send some pitchers, who need to sharpen their game sense, to the Seosan Stadium where the Futures game is held, but there is no guarantee the weather will be good, and the travel distance is far, so the plan was scrapped.

Meanwhile, NC has composed its starting lineup with second baseman Park Min-woo, shortstop Kim Joo-won, designated hitter Son Ah-seop, first baseman Davidson, right fielder Park Gun-woo, left fielder Kwon Hee-dong, third baseman Seo Ho-cheol, catcher Park Se-hyuk, and center fielder Kim Sung-wook. Foreign pitcher Riley will be the first to take the mound.

In response, Hanwha has arranged its batting order with left fielder Kim Tae-yeon, designated hitter Moon Hyun-bin, center fielder Florial, third baseman Noh Si-hwan, first baseman Chae Eun-seong, second baseman Ahn Chi-hong, right fielder Lim Jong-chan, catcher Choi Jae-hoon, and shortstop Sim Woo-jun. The starting pitcher is Ponce.

[OSEN]