"Let's go to Starbucks" — Why was it said? As the controversy over Seoul Baeje High School's derogatory remarks about Gwangju region escalates, high school baseball circles sigh as romance has turned into mockery.

*This content was translated by AI.

The controversy over Seoul Baeje High School's derogatory remarks toward Gwangju Jeil High School has triggered a major backlash in high school baseball.

On the 29th, Baeje High School defeated Gwangju Jeil High School 7-2 in the first round of the 81st Cheongryonggi National High School Baseball Championship and Weekend League King of Kings Tournament held at Seoul Mokdong Baseball Stadium. However, Baeje High School's head coach Kwon Oh-young and his coaching staff were busy visiting the Gwangju Jeil High School dugout to bow their heads in apology. This came after the mockery controversy involving Baeje High School erupted during the game.

According to a StarNews investigation, the Baeje High School team chanted the slogan "Let's go, let's go, let's go to Starbucks" toward the Gwangju Jeil High School players. The existing cheer slogan "Let's go, let's go, let's go after hitting a hit" was distorted into what is commonly called "Yaji" (mockery) by inserting the Starbucks phrase.

The reason for the distortion is linked to Starbucks Korea's "Tank Day" event held on the 18th, the anniversary of the 1980 Gwangju Uprising. Starbucks Korea promoted tumblers with slogans such as "Tank Day" and "Tap on the desk." These phrases became controversial after they were used by far-right communities to mock the democratic movement.

The social impact was so significant that the CEO of Starbucks Korea resigned, and Shinsegae Group Chairman Yong-jin Jung and Starbucks' U.S. headquarters issued public apologies. It was particularly unfortunate that slogans related to this incident were used against students in the Gwangju region, and videos of the phrase "Tank Day" spreading through online communities made criticism unavoidable. Moreover, the mocking intent was so clear that even officials present at the scene, including KBO team scouts, judged it as regional disparagement.

After the game, the Baeje High School baseball team, including the head coach, coaches, and the player who initiated the chant, visited the Gwangju Jeil High School dugout to convey their apologies. Some Baeje High School parents also personally expressed their apologies. In addition, Baeje High School promised Gwangju Jeil High School to hold a disciplinary committee for the players themselves, provide character education to the entire team, and post an apology statement.

Gwangju Jeil High School's stance is generally one of deep disappointment. Gwangju Jeil High School's head coach Jo Yun-chae told StarNews, "I thought anything could happen to children at any time, but I believe this incident was not appropriate." He added, "I was worried our children might get hurt, so I encouraged and comforted them by saying, 'Let's focus on our own things,' and we finished the game." He could not hide his bitterness.

Eom Hyun-woong, the Gwangju Jeil High School coach who directly protested to Baeje High School, said, "This was something that should never have happened. Words that should not exist in baseball came out, and I was instantly very angry. I heard the umpire issued a warning before the 8th inning, but I wonder if it would have been better if they had given a stronger warning." He expressed his regret.

At the same time, he believed the young players did not do this intentionally. As the controversy spread, unconfirmed facts have been popping up everywhere. He drew a line on those aspects. Coach Eom Hyun-woong stated, "High school cheering culture is such that when some friends chant a slogan, the rest of the children follow along. Since the team was winning, I believe they acted impulsively out of excitement. The player who initiated the chant also came and apologized directly after the game."

With this incident, voices are rising that it is time to change the mocking culture that crosses the line in high school baseball. Parodying alma mater anthems or professional team cheer songs to support one's own team is a romance and a unique spectacle found only in high school baseball. However, some schools have consistently caused problems with mocking cheers, and regional teams like Gwangju Jeil High School have mostly been the victims.

Mocking the age of players who were held back a year or making fun of opponents' injury histories has frequently occurred. It is analyzed that this situation was brought about by tacitly accepting such behavior as a culture unique to high school baseball. Scout A from a KBO team pointed out, "Recently, the mocking cheers from some teams have been too much. Even from the scouts' perspective, it is not viewed favorably. The sanctions are weak, and the coaches are also disappointed."

At the scene, it was felt that adults bear a significant responsibility for the deviant behavior of some student-athletes. Criticism cannot be avoided, ranging from coaches who failed to guide students away from wrongdoings to Korean society that has tolerated students' flawed historical awareness.

High school baseball coach B, who learned of this incident, said firmly, "This is an issue that coaches must address strongly. For children's culture to change, adults must take a strong stand. It is the top priority for coaches and head coaches to teach well. If they explain clearly why such thoughts and actions are unacceptable as humans and as athletes, the children can change."

He continued, "Our school also takes a very firm stance on this. We do not allow any noise when an opposing player is injured or when a pitcher is substituted. Of course, children may make mistakes due to excitement. But every time that happens, we tell them thousands, even billions of times until calluses form on their ears. If we teach them what true sportsmanship is, the children will change and correct themselves. It is the coach's capability that is crucial in eliminating such culture."

Despite Baeje High School's apology, disciplinary action seems unavoidable. According to a Korea Baseball Softball Association (KBSA) official, multiple complaints and reports against the Baeje High School baseball team have already been filed, making a referral to the Sports Korea Fair Trade Commission inevitable.

This will not end with mere disciplinary action. Minors are, quite literally, beings still in the process of maturing, and children can make mistakes. What is important is that adults properly explain where the mistake originated and why the behavior was unacceptable, and then correct it.

This controversy is not just a problem for a specific school or specific players; it is a task that the entire high school baseball community must reflect upon. It is now time for coaches, schools, and the association to jointly consider how to ensure that the romance, passion, and spirited cheers of high school baseball do not flow into mockery and hurt directed at others. Is it not also the responsibility of adults to teach correct historical awareness and sportsmanship, just as important as athletic performance?

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*This content was translated by AI.