I extend my deep condolences to the bereaved families in Changwon who have tragically lost their loved ones.

Austin Dean, a foreign player for the professional baseball LG Twins, expressed deep condolences to the female fan and her family who lost their lives in the fallen structure accident at Changwon NC Park.

During the LG-NC game on the 29th, an external structure on the third floor of Changwon NC Park fell onto a snack bar on the first floor, injuring three spectators nearby. A female fan in her 20s, who suffered a head injury, underwent surgery but passed away on the morning of the 31st.

The Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) noted in a statement on the 31st, "Due to the accident that occurred at Changwon NC Park on the 29th, a fan who loved baseball regrettably passed away. The KBO expresses its deep condolences to the victims and their families. Furthermore, we sincerely wish for the swift recovery of the two individuals still suffering from injuries."

The KBO has designated the period from the 1st to the 3rd of next month as a period of mourning and decided not to hold any KBO League or Futures League games on the 1st in memory of the victims. All three games scheduled in Changwon (SSG-NC), which were to be held without spectators, have been postponed.

Games in Jamsil, Suwon, Daejeon, and Gwangju will resume from the 2nd of next month, and there will be a moment of silence for the victims before the games start. The games will proceed without cheering, and all participating teams will wear mourning ribbons to honor the victims.

Austin shared on his Instagram story, "I extend my deep condolences to the bereaved families in Changwon who have tragically lost their loved ones. I fully understand that there are no words to alleviate the pain you are experiencing. During this unimaginable time, I pray that the Lord God is with you, providing comfort and peace."

Austin, who made his KBO League debut in 2023, played in 139 games in his first year, achieving a batting average of .313 (163 hits in 520 at-bats), with 23 home runs, 95 RBIs, and 87 runs, leading LG to the overall championship.

In the previous year, he played in 140 games, achieving a batting average of .319 (168 hits in 527 at-bats) with 32 home runs, 132 RBIs, 99 runs, and 12 stolen bases, completing a career-high season. He topped the RBIs institutional sector and won the Golden Glove for first basemen, surpassing NC's Matt Davidson.

Austin, who has been with LG for three years, currently has a record of 9 hits in 27 at-bats with a batting average of .333, 3 home runs, 7 RBIs, 7 runs, and an OPS of 1.142 as of the 31st.

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