*This content was translated by AI.
'17 promising players who will lead the future of South Korean softball are gathering in Gijang-gun, Busan.
The Korea Baseball and Softball Association (KBSA) announced on the 22nd that it will hold the '2026 Softball Youth National Team First Training Camp' for 15 days from July 22 to August 5 at Hyundai Dream Ball Park in Gijang-gun, Busan.
This training camp will be conducted for the 17th youth national team players selected through the Softball Performance Improvement Committee last June. The 2026 youth national team training camp, planned for a total of 24 days, will be operated in two phases: first and second. Among them, the first phase consists of a 15-day intensive training program designed to improve the players' game performance and technical skills.
The youth national team roster includes Hwang Ji-won (Guam Middle School), who simultaneously won Choi U-su-seon (수상) and Woo Su-tu (수상) at the 2026 President's Cup and Peace Unification Cup National Tournament, showcasing outstanding performance, as well as talented players such as Lee Chae-won and Im Seul-hee (Shinjeong Girls' Middle School) and Kang Su-min (Chungbuk National University Affiliated Middle School).
Additionally, as a result of expanding the base for young female athletes, Park Chae-hyun (Gimhae Little Baseball Team) and Kim Ye-won (Gijang-gun Little Baseball Team), both affiliated with the Korea Little League Baseball Association, and Kim Ah-in (Cheonan Junior Girls' Baseball Team), affiliated with the Korea Women's Baseball Association, were selected. Furthermore, American-Korean player Jo Yun-ju was selected for the youth national team for the first time.
The coaching staff will be led by head coach Lee Sang-hyun, who has guided the youth national team for many years. Coach Park Jung-gyu (Chungbuk National University Affiliated Middle School) and coach Cho Sun-hee, who has experience as both a player and a coach with the Incheon Metropolitan Sports Council, have joined to support team operations. In particular, Coach Park Jung-gyu plans to focus on strengthening the players' physical fitness and improving their skills based on his coaching experience in the '2025 Youth National Team Training Camp and the 15th-and-under (U-15) Softball Asia Cup.'
Head coach Lee Sang-hyun stated, "As this is the first step in preparation for the third U-15 Softball Asia Cup scheduled to be held in October, we will conduct training with a focus on improving the players' game performance. We will also ensure thorough management of the players' health and safety even amidst the scorching heat."
Meanwhile, the association plans to enhance the international competitiveness of youth players through this training camp and accelerate the development of promising talents who will lead the future of South Korean softball.
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*This content was translated by AI.
