In the first home game of the historic Ulsan-based professional team, all one-two punches came out! Coach Jang Won-jin said, "Even the players will know without talking." [Ulsan site]

*This content was translated by AI.

Ulsan Wales manager Jang Won-jin (57) expressed his extraordinary determination ahead of his first game.

Ulsan Wales announced the starting lineup for the home opener against the Lotte Giants Futures team in the 2026 Mediheal KBO Futures League at Munsu Baseball Stadium in Ulsan on the 20th.

On this day, Ulsan Wales consisted of Ye Jin-won (right wing), Choi Bo-sung (third baseman), Alex Hall (catcher), Kim Dong-yeop (designated hitter), Byun Sang-ho (left wing), Kim Si-wan (center fielder), Kim Sung-kyun (first baseman), Kim Soo-in (second baseman), and Park Min-seok (striker). The starting pitcher is Akita Okada.

Against this, Lotte formed a lineup of Hwang Sung-bin (center fielder), Kim Han-hole (right wing), Park Jae-yeop (catcher), Kim Dong-hyun (designated hitter), Shin Yoon-hoo (left wing), Choi Hang (second baseman), Lee Tae-kyung (third baseman), Kim Ho-beom (first baseman), and Lee Ji-hoon (striker). The starting pitcher is Hyun Do-hoon.

It is a historic first game as the first KBO civic team. Ulsan Wales completed the formation of a total of 39 players, starting with the appointment of manager Jang Won-jin in January. Before the game, head coach Jang Won-jin said, "I'm honestly excited because it's my first game since the foundation. There is a burden because the preparation period is not long, but the players worked hard and improved their condition a lot. I'm not 100% yet, but I'm going to keep playing the season and try and practice to fill the remaining%," he said.

It's a Futures team, but there are many familiar players. Kim Dong-yeop (36) of the first team's 92 home runs and Alex Hall (27) of the Australian national team will take the center stage in this season's clean-up. Ye Jin-won and Choi Bo-sung set up a table setter at KIA Tigers and NC Dinos, respectively. Manager Jang Won-jin responded, "First of all, Hall and Kim Dong-hyuk will continue to go to No. 3 or 4. The rest changes depending on the game. "I think the hit is a little weaker than other teams, so I think we need to make the batting line stable with various attempts," he said.

First starter Okada and second starter Jui Kobayashi will stand by for their first win. Manager Jang Won-jin said, "Today's starting pitcher is Okada, and second starter Kobayashi is also on standby. I think that would appeal even if I don't tell the players."

The battery will be handled by a foreign catcher's hall. Coach Jang Won-jin said, "You're doing well right now. Fortunately, even though Hall joined late, he continues to work with Japanese pitchers and match well. Since it is difficult to continue playing as a catcher, he tries to relieve fatigue by changing the position. "I'm going to make an entry so that Korean players can continue to play catcher and participate in the game," he explained.

Ulsan Wales is not promoted to the first team, but the players have a unique structure that allows them to transfer to KBO clubs during the season. As Ulsan Wales is led by players who have not formed a professional team or have not established a position in the first team, the determination is extraordinary.

Head coach Jang Won-jin said, "All the players came with a desperate heart, and it is important to work hard to grow one step, but we have to do well." I am always asking the players to do their best on the field and show their skills," he said with strength. "I want to play clean baseball. You have to reduce your mistakes to win the game. Since the game is difficult when it collapses in defense, we always ordered the coaches to show simple plays without errors. "There are Japanese pitchers, and if the defense is supported to some extent, I don't think I'll be second to other teams," he stressed.

Ulsan Munsu Baseball Stadium has long functioned as Lotte's second home stadium. However, through Wales, Ulsan has its first local baseball team. With that expectation, Munsu Baseball Stadium was crowded from an early hour.

Manager Jang Won-jin said, "It is the first foundation as a civic club, and I understand that Ulsan citizens and baseball fans are very interested in it. Although it is the Futures League, I think there will be fun to watch professional baseball in Ulsan. If a lot of Ulsan citizens come to the ballpark, we will show you good play. I will make a lot of effort to return to a pleasant feeling when I come to the ballpark by watching the players play hard without worrying about winning or losing," he said.

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*This content was translated by AI.