Could this really happen? 'Seven Shocking Errors' by KIA shortstop Jerry Dale, a scene so close to a defensive no-call that it left everyone in shock → Is this really okay?

*This content was translated by AI.

KIA Tigers' Asian quota infielder Jerry (26) Dale is struggling with his defense. Finally, during yesterday's (21st) game, he committed an invisible error at a crucial moment in the contest.

On the 21st, KIA lost to KT Wiz 5-6 in an extra-inning (11th) thriller at Suwon KT Wiz Park during a regular-season road game in the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League.

Dale started the game as leadoff hitter and shortstop, recording one hit in five at-bats, one strikeout, and one run scored. Most disappointing, however, was his defense. He committed errors starting in the bottom of the first inning, which ultimately led to runs. KIA starter Kim Tae-hyung allowed a line drive to the second base side by leadoff hitter Choi Won-jun. At that moment, Dale quickly fielded the ball, spun 180 degrees, and threw toward first base, but the throw sailed high and rolled into the opposing dugout. Dale's throwing error. As a result, Choi Won-jun was awarded safe at second base.

An even more regrettable scene unfolded in the top of the seventh inning during KT's offensive turn. KIA replaced their second pitcher, Choi Jimin, with Lee Tae-yang. After one out, Lee allowed a single to the left field by Kim Sang-soo and a single to the right field by Bae Jeong-dae, putting runners on first and second. When Lee Kang-min hit a fly ball to right field, the runner on second, Kim Sang-soo, tagged up and advanced to third base. At that point, Lee Tae-yang left the mound and Kim Beom-su entered the game.

The first pitch was a strike. Before throwing the second pitch, Kim Beom-su threw a pickoff throw toward first base. At the same time, the runner on first, Bae Jeong-dae, got caught in a rundown. During this play, the ball rolled past shortstop Dale, and simultaneously, the runner on third, Kim Sang-soe, began sprinting toward home plate.

In a normal defensive situation, while dealing with a runner caught in a rundown, the fielder must also be acutely aware of the runner on third base, as the score is directly at stake. However, Dale was completely focused on the rundown play, completely missing the runner on third heading for home. It would not be an exaggeration to say he was on the verge of being ruled for a defensive no-call as a shortstop. In the end, he did manage to tag out the runner on first caught in the rundown, but by then, the runner on third had already crossed home plate to score an additional run. For KT, it was a play that naturally drew applause. For KIA, however, it was an incredibly regrettable moment.

Dale, originally from Melbourne, Australia, began his professional career in 2016 with the Melbourne Aces in the Australian Baseball League (ABL). He also gained experience in the United States. After signing a minor league contract with the San Diego Padres in 2019, he played a total of six seasons, including two in Triple-A. Last season, he joined the Orix Buffaloes of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) as a developmental foreign player, appearing in 41 games in the second division with a batting average of .297, 35 hits, three home runs, 14 RBIs, and 12 runs scored. His abilities were recognized to the extent that he was selected to represent Australia in the recently concluded 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC).

In fact, the reason KIA was the only one of the 10th teams to sign an infielder under the Asian quota was clear. This was done to fill the void left by Park Chan-ho, who had been the regular shortstop, after he became a free agent (FA) and moved to the Doosan Bears. Dale was evaluated as an infielder capable of playing all infield positions, with rich experience and, most importantly, stable defensive skills.

Defense must provide stability above all else. However, once the season began, Dale has consistently shown an unstable performance, which is also reflected in the statistics. As of his 19-game appearance, Dale has committed a total of seven errors. This is already three more than the second-place group (LG's Oh Ji-hwan, Hanwha's Sim Woo-jun, Chae Eun-seong, KT's Lee Kang-min, and Kiwoom's Eo Bun-seo), who each have four errors. This season, Dale has appeared in 19 games, recording a batting average of .301 (73 at-bats, 22 hits), four doubles, five RBIs, 12 runs scored, one stolen base (zero caught stealing), seven walks, eight strikeouts, a slugging percentage of .356, an on-base percentage of .358, and an OPS (on-base plus slugging) of .714. Can Dale make up for his shortcomings and deliver strong performances for the remainder of the season?

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*This content was translated by AI.