KIA manager Lee Bum-ho's remarks on his determination, "I'm so desperate for foreigners, but there are players who don't know if they'll make the first team or not..." "Why" came out in the 10-minute meeting of the team after the defeat [Okinawa Station]

*This content was translated by AI.

KIA Tigers manager Lee Bum-ho (45) criticized the players' comfortable play after losing their first practice game.

Coach Lee Bum-ho told the back story of the team's meeting held on the ground for about 10 minutes the previous day (24th) at the 2026 KIA Spring Camp held at Kin Town Baseball Stadium in Kin, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan on the 25th.

KIA lost 3-6 in a practice game against the Korean national baseball team compared to the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC) held at Kadena Baseball Stadium in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan the previous day. The batting lineup was tied to five hits on the strong national team mound. Above all, the defense was disappointing. KIA second baseman Yoon Do-hyun missed a ground ball with a big bounce by Kim Joo-won with two outs and a runner on first base in the second inning with a 2-0 lead. The ensuing chance led to a clean-up of the national team, leading to a large number of runs.

After the defeat, coach Lee Bum-ho gathered the team on the ground and made intense criticism for more than 10 minutes. After that, the KIA team was able to get on the bus only a long time after the pitcher's team and the fielder's team met separately.

Manager Lee Bum-ho said, "It was my first practice game. It was a time when we had to make the players' minds decide to play four games in Okinawa and enter the exhibition game. I said I should play baseball a little more earnestly," he said.

"Each player may have a tendency, but changes begin in the team depending on how they make up their minds. Even if I, as a coach, decide to talk to myself, nothing will happen unless the players play. It's what I have to do to make the players play like that," he added.

Still, the foreign batters' performance was encouraging. This year, KIA replaced foreign batters. Harold Castro, who can play all positions except the catcher, hit a two-run home run to Ko Young-pyo from his first at-bat, leaving a strong impression. Jarryd Dale, the only Asian quarter fielder in the 10 KBO teams, hit a good ball and made an impression.

Above all, he had an extraordinary will to get on base, holding the bat short on the unfavorable ball count at the batter's box and continuing to cut the ball. It was the appearance of some batters and other foreign batters who were consistent with big swings.

Director Lee Bum-ho said, "I talked about that part anyway. Even foreign players who are better at baseball and are not desperate are so desperate. However, I didn't see that in the players who were more desperate, who were agonizing over whether or not to make the first-team entry."

Then, he said, "That kind of appearance should become a daily routine. As a professional, of course you should. Since it's a practice game now, it's definitely not right even when you go to the main game thinking that you just do it roughly and play it properly. In the process of preparing from the beginning, we have to prepare with such a mind to win or not to win the main game," he said.

This year, KIA is trying to change as Choi Hyung-woo (43) and Park Chan-ho (31), who were the center of the team, left the team as FA, respectively. Young players are given opportunities in the vacancy created by the departure of the main players. But the head coach didn't want to take the opportunity for granted.

Coach Lee Bum-ho said, "We continue to put pressure on young players. However, if the aforementioned part says no, it is obvious that he will not be able to participate in the game. In particular, players who go as backup from behind go to important situations, so (doing their best at every at-bat) is a very important part to consider."

Before returning home on March 8, KIA will have a total of four practice games against the Hanwha Eagles on March 1, the Samsung Lions on March 2, the KT Wiz on March 5, and the LG Twins on March 6. Veteran players did not accompany the national team in the previous day's game, but they will play in turn in the rest of the game.

It's frustrating that young players will have less opportunity to take the batter's box, but they don't show their desperation. Coach Lee Bum-ho said, "We will watch the remaining four games without a separate meeting. We'll see what kind of play you make with the message strong. The players who play the requested play will also take them to the exhibition game, but I'm also going to take them out of the exhibition game," he said.

"Young players should value their time in Okinawa right now. The seniors will be preparing well because they have delivered enough messages to veterans when they are in Amami. Good players will play this season. "I think the players will prepare well because I made up my mind like that," he said again.

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*This content was translated by AI.