[Disabled Baseball Today] ① The People Hidden Behind the Name of National Team

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

The "WBC World Disabled Baseball Championship" is held in Japan every four years.

This year marks the 6th edition of the tournament. The host country, Japan, consistently provides airfare and accommodation expenses for the national teams of four countries: South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and Puerto Rico.

The title of national team member is an honor. Wearing the Taegeuk mark and stepping onto the world stage is a source of pride that is difficult to exchange for anything else for an athlete. This significance is even greater for athletes who have overcome disabilities and trained for a long time to become national representatives. However, what if one is selected as a national team member but does not get sufficient opportunities to actually compete in games? We must not turn a blind eye to this question.

I served as a member of the South Korean Disabled Baseball National Team for approximately 12 years. I loved baseball and was glad that, despite my disability, I could run on the field with my teammates and compete against disabled athletes from around the world.

Participating in international tournaments as a national team member was not simply about playing games. It was an opportunity to confirm my own potential, challenge alongside other players, and experience the value of sports for people with disabilities.

However, looking back on my long career as an athlete, a question that cannot be erased remains in one corner of my mind: Are athletes with more severe disabilities being marginalized from games even in disabled baseball?

In the Gyeong Heom-han (CEO) team, it was repeatedly observed that athletes with relatively more severe disabilities did not get sufficient opportunities to actually play in games. On the other hand, I witnessed a reality where some players were continuously given chances to participate. I could not help but ask on what criteria player selection and participation are decided, and whether those criteria are applied fairly to all players. It made me think again about whether a so-called "cartel" among them has been deeply formed.

Of course, national team games aim for victory. Coaches must consider the skills of the players, their positions, and the game situation. I am also aware of the reality that it is difficult to guarantee equal playing time for all players. However, the value of sports for people with disabilities cannot be judged solely by wins and losses. This is because it is most important to aim for the trophy of "moving hearts" through a process where athletes confirm their potential through sports, challenge alongside teammates, and gain confidence in life.

Being selected for the national team and actually participating in games are two different things. What kind of memory does the glory of being a national representative leave for a player who has been on the roster but spent most of their time on the bench for over ten years? Is it a memory? Or is it a wound?

I am not raising this issue to criticize specific players or individuals. I do so because I hope that South Korean disabled baseball will develop into a healthier and more trusted sport. The title of national representative carries not only the responsibility for victory but also the responsibility to respect the potential of each individual player.

Now we must ask: "Who does the national team represent?" Even if this question is uncomfortable, not turning a blind eye to it is the first step toward restoring the moving spirit of disabled baseball.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original