Choo Shin-soo, head of SSG's development division, will invest in improving infrastructure for 'unpaid, not the lowest annual salary' → 'treatment + recovery.'

*This content was translated by AI.

It has been confirmed that the money saved by Choo Shin-soo (44), assistant manager of SSG Landers, chose unpaid pay and was used to improve infrastructure for the team's treatment and recovery.

SSG said on the 8th, "Choo Shin-soo, head of SSG's development team, will push for improvement in the overall recovery and treatment environment of the team and the infrastructure for fostering Futures."

The improvement was carried out by Choo Yook-young, who converted his annual salary to two years of no pay and used the financial resources to improve the environment for treatment, recovery and fostering of the team.

Choo Yook-young focuses on applying the training, recovery and conditioning system and operation know-how he has experienced in Major League Baseball for 20 years as a player to the domestic environment. Based on the standards and routines acquired on the global stage, the improvement plan is being designed with a structure that can be practically applied to the field.

Choo Shin-soo, who announced his retirement at the end of the 2024 season after returning to Korea, made a decision to cut his 2024 season salary to the lowest (30 million won) at the time, and even made a big decision to donate all of it.

◆ Group 1: Introduction of a new intensive (focus) shock wave treatment device

The symbol of this improvement is the intensive (focus) shock wave treatment device newly introduced in the first group. Although it is an expensive equipment worth nearly 100 million won, Choo Yook-young consistently suggested the necessity of introducing it in consideration of the players' condition management and recovery efficiency, and the club agreed with the necessity and decided to make a bold investment.

The equipment can deliver deeper and more precise energy to the target area, which is used for pain and load management that players frequently repeat.

There is also a high level of satisfaction with the use of equipment within the team. Guillermo Herredia said, "Even in the Major League, there was no intensive shock wave equipment, but I used it here for the first time. "It's really effective," he said, and Kim Gun-woo also said, "I used the equipment for the first time, and it seems to fit me really well. It is very helpful for recovery," he said, expressing satisfaction.

◆ Futures: Expansion of Cold Pressure Therapy Devices and Portable Electrical Therapy Devices... Building a concurrent treatment environment

The improvement was extended to the Futures squad. New and additional cold pressure therapy devices and portable electrotherapy devices were introduced to Futures. In particular, it has secured a number of portable electrotherapy devices to establish an environment in which players can proceed with treatment at the same time.

The equipment can be used regardless of fielders and pitchers, and is widely used from pre-game warm-up assistance to post-game recovery management. Cold pressure treatment devices are also used by rehabilitation and fostering groups, contributing to the cool down and recovery process.

Futures conditioning coach explained, "As the type and quantity of equipment increase, many players can receive treatment according to their personal characteristics at the same time."

◆ Futures: Improving Infield Ground Drainage Environment

SSG also touched on the infield drainage environment, which was a chronic problem at the Ganghwa SSG Futures Field Ground. In the past, the infield was centered on Masato, so it was often difficult to proceed with the game the next day when it rained. Choo Yook-young judged the problem as a loss of 'the number of training days' and 'the experience of the game'.

Accordingly, SSG also worked on improving the Futures Infield Ground. To improve the difficulties in training and proceeding with the game until the next day in case of rain due to the existing Masato-centered infield, the infield soil was replaced with an infield mix and conditioner.

Through this, the number of days available for the ground was increased even after rain, and the training and game management stability of the Futures players were secured.

◆ Continuing to improve infrastructure for the recovery and development of athletes

The starting point of this project began with the mind that General Manager Choo Yook-young converted his salary to unpaid and led to the improvement of the players' treatment devices and environment.

In addition, the club's willingness to invest is combined, and over the past two years, it has continued to improve the overall fostering environment. The expansion of treatment equipment and environmental improvement are being designed as a "sustainable system" rather than a single shot, which is expected to soon lead to the expansion of squad depth, healthy competition, and the discovery of new players.

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*This content was translated by AI.