'Manager Ryu Ji-hyun and Committee Member Kwon Oh-jun Participate' 2026 KBO Visiting T-Ball Classroom Receives Explosive Response: "It's Fun to Learn Directly"

*This content was translated by AI.

The T-Ball classroom, led directly by KBO League legends to expand the base of baseball in the Republic of Korea, has received an explosive response.

The Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) announced on the 30th that "on the 29th, the first class of the 2026 KBO Visiting T-Ball Classroom was held at Seongbuk Elementary School, located in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul. On this day, KBO President Heo Koo-yeon, Ryu Ji-hyun, manager of the 2026 WBC national team, and KBO Development Committee Member Kwon Oh-jun were present to brighten the occasion."

The KBO Visiting T-Ball Classroom, now in its 11th year, has been conducted with the support of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, visiting 1,183 schools up to last year. This year, it is scheduled to be held at 200 schools.

Especially this year, among the 200th schools, 10 high schools operating T-Ball sports clubs for female students have been selected to lay the groundwork for female fans to enjoy baseball directly. This project aims to expand the base of baseball by promoting the widespread adoption of T-Ball that anyone can enjoy safely and to contribute to the physical improvement of students. Participating schools will also receive T-Ball equipment and gloves worth 2 million won.

Seongbuk Elementary School, the first school to start the 2026 KBO Visiting T-Ball Classroom, is a school with a focus on physical education that actively participates in sports activities despite being a small school with only 155 students in total. In addition to 135 of the total students participating in the morning physical education program every day, it operates life sports classes linked with the Seongbuk-gu Sports Association every week. In 2013, it received an award for excellence in physical education from the Minister of Education.

On this day, Manager Ryu Ji-hyun conducted the batting class, while Development Committee Member Kwon Oh-jun led the fielding class, working closely with the students. After the class, the students were presented with signed balls and national team keychains, creating special memories.

Student Yoon Seo-yoon, who participated in the class, said, "I usually enjoy T-Ball, but when Manager Ryu Ji-hyun personally corrected my batting stance, I hit the ball much better. After learning fielding from Committee Member Kwon Oh-jun, the game became even more fun. Through this class, I felt it was amazing that my T-Ball skills improved immediately. I also received a signed ball and a keychain, and since they were signed by the people who taught me directly, I want to keep them even more precious. If given the chance, I definitely want to participate again."

Nam Soo-geuk, principal of Seongbuk Elementary School, said, "I am very happy that this KBO Visiting T-Ball Classroom is holding its first class at our school. Thanks to Manager Ryu Ji-hyun and Committee Member Kwon Oh-jun personally teaching T-Ball, which students love, I believe it will become an unforgettable experience for the students. In the future, we plan to actively operate and support T-Ball so that more students can feel the joy of T-Ball."

Manager Ryu Ji-hyun, who has participated as a legend instructor in the first class of the T-Ball classroom for three consecutive years, said, "The fact that I can be part of the beginning of the T-Ball classroom for three consecutive years is itself a great meaning to me. Seeing the students' passion, I receive positive energy every time. I hope the students' interest in baseball continues even after they become adults. I hope the T-Ball classroom will continue to be operated steadily to expand the base of baseball."

Meanwhile, in addition to the Visiting T-Ball Classroom, the KBO has selected five elementary schools for a pilot program starting in the second semester of this year to expand the base of baseball by increasing children's baseball experience activities. The after-school program, operated as a baseball play class for lower-grade students and a T-Ball class for upper-grade students, is planned to be conducted 10 sessions per school.

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*This content was translated by AI.