[Official] 'Not an illegal pitch' KBO drops 'ejection for foreign substance on pitcher' suspension for Kim Ki-joong — Why?

*This content was translated by AI.

The Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) has decided not to impose any disciplinary action on Sangmu's Kim Ki-joong (24), who was embroiled in controversy over ejection due to a foreign substance found on his glove.

The KBO officially announced: "In the 2026 Medihill Futures League match between Sangmu Baseball Club and Goyang Heroes held at Goyang Stadium on the 25th, a foreign substance was discovered inside a pitcher's glove belonging to Jo Chi-doen (SVP) baseball club pitcher Kim Ki-joong, resulting in his ejection. The KBO has decided not to impose the originally scheduled 10-game suspension."

The KBO explained: "Regarding this ejection incident, upon directly retrieving and inspecting the player's glove, it was confirmed that adhesive inside the glove had melted due to extreme heat and seeped through the holes in the laces."

Furthermore, the KBO stated: "Based on the on-field umpires' assessment and investigation of the glove, it was determined that the substance was adhesive used during the glove manufacturing process. Therefore, no additional suspension beyond the ejection will be imposed."

The KBO also announced: "To prevent similar incidents in the future, all clubs have been notified to require players to personally inspect their equipment (including gloves) and check for any foreign substances on their bodies prior to games. If any suspicious substance such as adhesive is suspected, players may request verification from the umpiring crew before the game begins."

Meanwhile, Kim Ki-joong started for Sangmu in an away Futures League match against Goyang Heroes at the National Baseball Training Center in Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do on the 25th. After completing his pitching duties in the bottom of the 4th inning, he was ordered to leave the game after a foreign substance was discovered on his glove.

At that time, Kim pitched for four innings, throwing 59 pitches and allowing eight hits, recording one strikeout while surrendering four runs. With his team trailing 2-4 in the bottom of the 4th inning, he retired Oh Seon-jin via an infield grounder to third base to end the frame before heading to the dugout. The umpiring crew conducted a glove inspection, and upon discovering the foreign substance, Kim was ordered to leave the game.

Last March, ahead of the regular season opener, the KBO held its second Executive Committee meeting in 2026 to discuss strengthening foreign substance checks on pitchers. This measure aims to ensure fairness in pitching and maintain league credibility. Violations result in immediate ejection and a 10-game suspension. Kim Ki-joong had initially received a 10-game suspension, but after it was confirmed that the adhesive inside his glove had melted due to heat, the KBO revoked the penalty.

Meanwhile, recently in the United States, Ko Woo-suk was also ejected after a foreign substance was found on his glove. Ko Woo-suk, who plays for the Saint Paul Saints, a Triple-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins, made a relief appearance as the team's third pitcher in the top of the 7th inning during a home game against the Columbus Clippers (a Cleveland Guardians affiliate) at CHS Field in Saint Paul, Minnesota on the 25th (Korean time). However, he was ejected for having a foreign substance before throwing a single pitch.

Major League Baseball has strictly enforced foreign substance inspection rules since June 2021 to prevent pitchers from using illegal substances. Under the rules, any pitcher caught possessing or using a foreign substance is immediately ejected and faces a 10-game suspension. Ko Woo-suk ultimately received a 10-game suspension.

However, he stated: "Throughout my life, I have never once considered competing through unfair means. I have always believed that fairness is the most important value in sports, and that conviction remains unchanged today." He further emphasized: "Even during difficult times when I failed to meet expectations in the minor leagues and had to restart my career from the bottom, I continued playing baseball while upholding this belief." He also announced his intention to file an appeal through the players' union.

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*This content was translated by AI.