The era of pitch clock has arrived in professional baseball. SIM Woo-jun (Hanwha Eagles) spent time greeting the audience three times with a 'nod' from the batter's box, yet how could he remain free from pitch clock violations?

'Free agent acquisition' SIM Woo-jun shared a trivial concern with reporters before the professional baseball opening game against KT Wiz at Suwon KT Wiz Park on the 22nd.

SIM Woo-jun wanted to bow and greet his old KT fans in his first at-bat, but he was apprehensive about the pitch clock, which was officially introduced this year. This concern arose because he thought he might incur a penalty for a pitch clock violation while taking time to greet.

SIM Woo-jun said, 'I plan to greet the KT fans and Hanwha fans in my first at-bat. I intend to bow three times in the order of first base, center, and third base.' He added, 'The pitch clock is a concern, but I'm sure the umpire will be understanding. Otherwise, I will talk to SUNGWOO. I think SUNGWOO will tell me to greet ahead of time.'

The pitch clock, which was officially introduced this season, requires pitchers to throw within 20 seconds when there are no runners on base and within 25 seconds when there are runners. If not, one ball is added. Additionally, batters must enter the batter's box within 33 seconds, and violating this will result in one strike being charged.

However, all of this was unfounded. SIM Woo-jun faced his first at-bat in the top of the 3rd inning with two outs and no runners on, while Hanwha was trailing 0-2. He successfully greeted in order of first base, center, and third base without violating the pitch clock while removing his helmet. Capitalizing on the applause from KT and Hanwha fans, SIM Woo-jun drew a straight walk and later stole second base, contributing to a scoring opportunity.

After the game, SIM Woo-jun expressed his gratitude to the umpire and KT catcher SUNGWOO regarding the situation in his first at-bat. He said, 'It seems to me that SUNGWOO was the first to speak up. Because the umpire was leaning forward before I went to the batter's box. I was going to speak first but was very grateful to SUNGWOO. SUNGWOO is not just any home plate master.'

SIM Woo-jun met his old team for the first time, achieving 1 hit, 1 RBI, 1 run, 1 walk, and 1 steal in 3 at-bats, leading the team to a 4-3 comeback victory. Backed by SIM Woo-jun, Hanwha tasted an opening game victory for the first time in 5 years since 2020.

From his first at-bat, SIM Woo-jun troubled his former team. After trailing 0-2 in the top of the 3rd with two outs, he drew a straight walk against KT starter Emmanuel de Jesus, stole second base, and scored on an unexpected hit by Kim Tae-yeon, narrowing the deficit.

In the top of the 5th, after a swing-and-miss strikeout, SIM Woo-jun faced his third at-bat in the top of the 7th with two outs and two runners on base in a 2-2 tie. He then hit a go-ahead double to right-center against former teammate Kim Min-soo, standing tall as the hero of the opening game.

SIM Woo-jun said, 'I wasn't nervous during today's game. I've been using this stadium for 10 or 11 years, so I felt more comfortable. I showed everything I could. My debut game was perfect. Of course, my defense wasn't that clean, but I’ll make it cleaner as time goes on, so I hope you see it positively.'

SIM Woo-jun, who was a one-club man at KT, exercised his first free agent rights after the 2024 season. He chose to move to Hanwha instead of staying, signing a four-year contract worth a maximum of 5 billion won (guaranteed 4.2 billion won, option 800 million won). He, who joined as a founding member of KT in 2014, opted for a new challenge and hinted at a free agent jackpot from his debut game.

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