"I'm going to let DOYOUNG out no matter what."" Australia National University KIA Foreigners Declare Pleasant WBC War [Okinawa Station]

*This content was translated by AI.

KIA Tigers' Jarryd Dale (26) made a pleasant declaration of war.

Dale said ahead of a practice game against the Korean national baseball team against the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC) at Kadena Baseball Stadium in Kadena, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan on the 24th, "This game is not only my first against Korean players, but also my first game after the offseason, so it's very meaningful."

"They are also players who will meet not only in the WBC but also in the KBO league, so I will prepare well while watching a lot of balls today," he said.

In December last year, KIA signed a total of $150,000 with Dale, including a down payment of 40,000 won, an annual salary of 70,000 and an option of 40,000 dollars. Dale is the only fielder among the first Asian quarters introduced this year.

This is the aftermath of the Doosan Bears' FA transfer of key shortstop Park Chan-ho (31). KIA also took a bold step forward against the transfer of Park Chan-ho, who had played shortstop in the full season for seven years. It is the first time in 18 years that KIA shortstop is a foreign player since Wilson Valdez (48) in 2008.

Dale said, "I know you chose me as a foreign shortstop for the first time in 18 years. I feel a considerable sense of responsibility and am preparing well to meet those expectations. If it's not enough, I'm going to participate in extra training and prove it on the field," he said with strength.

A native of Melbourne, Australia, Dale first made his professional debut at the Melbourne Accies in ABL, Australia, in 2016. After signing a minor contract with the San Diego Padres in 2019, he played a total of six seasons, including two Triple-A seasons.

Last year, he joined the Orix Buffaloes of the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) as a foreign player and played in 41 games in the second division alone, recording 35 hits, two homers, 14 RBIs, 12 runs and a batting average of 0.297. The Asian baseball experience is expected to adapt quickly.

Dale said, "Korea is actually very different from Japan in its operations and bunting plays, so I focused on team training when I was in Amami Camp," adding, "I think I'm an active defensive style. "I've experienced a lot of Asian baseball, so I think I'll play defense that combines U.S. and Asian-style defense," he explained.

Dale is also the main shortstop for the Australian national team. Therefore, he is an opponent in Group C in the first round like Korea. Dale will join the Australian national team on the 28th after being together at the KIA camp until the 27th.

If that happens, Dale will meet South Korea in the final Group C match on March 9 to face his teammate Kim Do-young (23). As Kim Do-young is also a clean-up hitter and third baseman of the Korean national team, a face-off is inevitable.

Dale said, "I'm really enjoying myself, too. Not only me, but also KIA fans and Korean baseball fans will be watching our game with real interest. KIA fans can especially enjoy watching Kim Do-young. I hope you watch it because the better team will win again this time."

He also expected a showdown between Kim Do-young and Kim Do-young. When asked by reporters, "What if Kim Do-young hits a ball toward his side?" he said, "As long as the ball comes, I will catch it and put it out no matter what. I think the coaches will keep running only when they do their best in the play," he said, turning the crowd into a sea of laughter.

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*This content was translated by AI.