On the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games baseball team roster, the only left-handed pitchers are Choi Ji-min (KIA Tigers) and Kim Young-gyu (NC Dinos). Choi Ji-min’s mission is enormous.먹튀검증
The Korea Baseball Softball Association (KBSA) Performance Improvement Committee and the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) Strength Enhancement Committee excluded Lee Ui-ri (KIA) from the Asian Games baseball team on the 22nd, a day before the convening.
Coach Ryu Joong-il, who met ahead of the national team’s first training on the 23rd, said, “Lee Ui-ri is one of the best left-handers in Korea. He should be in charge of the game against Taiwan or Japan, but I had doubts about whether he would be able to handle 70 to 80 pitches as a starting pitcher in this condition. He explained the reason, saying, “I thought I couldn’t throw more than 80, so I changed it.”
Choi Ji-min, who met with reporters after completing the first training, responded to Lee Ui-ri’s exclusion from the national team, saying, “It would have been nice if I had come with him, but it’s a shame that I fell. I have experience in international competitions and I know a lot of guys, so it was an opportunity to get closer, but I couldn’t come with them.” He added, “I listened to my guys carefully. “He told me to do well and come back,” he said, expressing regret.
When asked how he felt about completing his first training, he replied, “I feel good, but since it is a very important position, I don’t get excited and think I have to do well.”
Choi Ji-min also chatted with Park Young-hyun (KT Wiz) while touching the ball during training. He said, “I wasn’t thinking about any other pitches, but while playing catch with (Park) Young-hyun, I caught a change-up and it was really good. I’d like to ask.”
The Performance Improvement Committee and the Power Strengthening Committee selected outfielder Yoon Dong-hee (Lotte Giants), not a pitcher, as Lee Ui-ri’s replacement. As a result, the role of left-handed bullpen duo Choi Ji-man and Kim Young-gyu playing in the Asian Games has become important.
Choi Ji-min said, “I don’t feel any pressure. I plan to pitch hard with the thought that I can pitch well according to the situation they let me out in.”
At this Asian Games, the national team is on its way to winning its fourth consecutive gold medal. Choi Ji-min strengthened his resolve, saying, “I will definitely come back with a gold medal.”