"Is it right to use 30.7 billion players seven times?" The national team is also in full swing with Noh Si-hwan's mega contract, revealing the starting lineup against Hanwha. "Kim Do-young will play 3 innings as third baseman." [Okinawa Station]

*This content was translated by AI.

Ryu Ji-hyun (55), the coach of the Korean national baseball team, also smiled broadly at the news of Roh Si-hwan (26, Hanwha Eagles)' massive contract, which was announced ahead of the game.

Ahead of the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC) practice game between the national team and Hanwha held at Kadena Baseball Stadium in Okinawa, Japan on the 23rd (Korea time), coach Ryu Ji-hyun said, "Even if the previous game was sluggish, wouldn't it feel good from today?" I just congratulated Si-hwan," he said.

Earlier, Hanwha announced that it had signed a large FA contract worth 30.7 billion won with Noh Si-hwan for an 11-year contract period. The contract terms and conditions are a total of 30.7 billion won, including options, in 11 years of the contract period from 2027 to 2037, which is the longest and largest contract in KBO league history, including FA contracts and non-FA multi-year contracts.

The news of Noh's contract, who joined the national team's training from the 15th, was also a hot topic in the national team. Coach Ryu Ji-hyun said, "There have been too many rumors about Noh Si-hwan's contract. Now that it's organized, I think I'll come to the national team in a good mood."

"If I had known this would happen, I should have ordered the fourth batter today. I wonder if it's right to hit 30.7 billion batters seven times. "I delivered the lineup to the players the day before (22nd), so I couldn't change it," he said with a big smile.

On this day, the national team consisted of Kim Joo-won (striker), Ahn Hyun-min (middle fielder), Kim Do-young (third baseman), Moon Bo-kyung (designated hitter), Park Dong-won (captor), Koo Ja-wook (left fielder), Noh Si-hwan (first baseman), Shin Min-jae (second baseman), and Park Hae-min (middle fielder). The starting pitcher is Kwak Bin.

The national team will play seven innings until a practice game against the KIA Tigers on the 24th. Kwak Bin will throw 2 innings, Son Joo-young 2 innings, Kim Young-kyu 1 inning, and Park Young-hyun 1 inning in that order. From the match against the Samsung Lions on the 26th, the game will be played in nine innings. Ko Young-pyo will be selected on the 24th.

It is also notable that Kim Do-young, who only played as a designated hitter in the previous two games, starts at third base. Kim Joo-won, who showed a good batting sense with a dramatic three-run final in the last game, is tested with a leadoff.

Manager Ryu Ji-hyun said, "Kim Do-young will only enter defense for three innings today. He plays at-bats as they are. "I thought I needed time to adapt a little more while playing two games," he said. "Kim Joo-won is currently in good condition rather than describing it as a test." I'll check my condition, but I'm also keeping that in mind (leadoff)."

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*This content was translated by AI.