*This content was translated by AI.
The Daejeon Seo-gu Youth Baseball Team has emerged as the top force in youth baseball.
Led by 37-year-old manager Park Sang-kyu, a former Hanwha Eagles player, the Daejeon Seo-gu Youth Baseball Team defeated Gwacheon City Youth Baseball Team 12-10 in the U-13 Cheongryong final of the 23rd Korea Youth Baseball Federation President's Cup National Youth Baseball Tournament, which boasts the longest history, to claim the championship.
Organized by the Korea Youth Baseball Federation (President Lee Sang-geun), the tournament was held from May 5th to 8th over four days at Haryeong Baseball Stadium in Yanggu County, Gangwon Province, and other venues, with 62 teams participating. The event was sponsored by Yanggu County Sports Foundation, SOOP, and baseball equipment company Storm Baseball. The two final games were broadcast live on SOOP via TV relay, with commentary by cast member So Dae-soo and Doosan Bears alumnus Commissioner Ahn Kyung-hyun.
In the U-13 Cheongryong final, the strongest league in youth baseball, the Daejeon Seo-gu Youth Baseball Team faced off against Gwacheon City Youth Baseball Team, led by manager Choi Jeong-gi, a former player of MBC Cheongryong (now LG Twins), one of the original professional baseball teams.
Daejeon Seo-gu took an early lead in the top of the first inning with four runs, starting with Baek Seong-woo's hit-by-pitch and Kim Dong-hee's single, followed by Kwon Tae-hyung's left-field double (1 RBI), Kim Dong-jun's left-field double (2 RBIs), Jung Ye-seung's right-field single, and Bae Yi-jun's right-field line drive double. Gwacheon City immediately responded in the bottom of the first inning with two runs: consecutive singles by Baek Seung-heon and Jo Hee-joon, followed by Kim Hyun-seo's hit-by-pitch (1 RBI) and Choi Jae-kyung's right-field single (1 RBI), narrowing the gap to 2-4.
In the top of the third inning, Daejeon Seo-gu added two more runs with Lee Ho-jin's infield single (1 RBI). However, Gwacheon City staged a comeback in the bottom of the third, starting with Jo Hee-joon's right-field line drive double, followed by Ryu Seung-won's right-field double (1 RBI), Kim Hyun-seo's left-field single (1 RBI), and finally Kwak Min-gyu's go-ahead two-run home run over the left-field fence, scoring five runs to take a 7-6 lead.
However, in the top of the sixth inning, when Daejeon Seo-gu trailed by three runs at 7-10, a dramatic turnaround occurred. After consecutive hit-by-pitches, Kim Dong-hee's infield grounder (1 RBI), Kwon Tae-hyung's intentional walk, and Kim Dong-jun reaching on an error, Jung Ye-seung hit a sweep three-run home run over the right-field fence, scoring five runs to reclaim the lead at 12-10. In the bottom of the sixth, closer Kwon Tae-hyung recorded all three outs via strikeouts, securing the championship trophy.
Jung Ye-seung of Daejeon Seo-gu Youth Baseball Team, who recorded eight hits in 13 at-bats (.615 batting average) with six RBIs including a go-ahead triple in the final game, was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player (MVP). Kwon Tae-hyung (Daejeon Seo-gu Youth Baseball Team) and Jo Hee-joon (Gwacheon City Youth Baseball Team) were awarded the Woo Su-seon (수상).
MVP Jung Ye-seung said, "It was incredibly enviable to see older players win in this year's youth Cheongryong league. Winning in our first tournament without them is deeply meaningful and significant. I believe our teammates who created the opportunity for me to hit the go-ahead triple are the true MVPs. I want to dedicate this award not just to myself but to all my teammates." He added, "As a catcher, I admire Samsung Lions' Kang Min-ho. His ability to calmly lead pitchers and his outstanding performance both defensively and at the plate make him my role model."
Park Sang-kyu, manager of Daejeon Seo-gu Youth Baseball Team and recipient of the tournament's Manager Award, stated, "This was our second championship in this year's youth Cheongryong league, making it even more meaningful. Watching the children fail, succeed, and strive during this tournament was truly inspiring and deeply moving. Their dedication to training with sincerity, humility, and good character—values I always emphasize—is finally yielding valuable results. As a manager, I am extremely proud of them."
He continued, "I would like to express my gratitude to the parents who have selflessly supported our team. I also want to thank coaches Ahn Hoon-gi and Yeom Seong-jin for their hard work in guiding the children's growth. Finally, I extend my thanks to Daejeon City Baseball and Softball Association Kim Yeong-tae (Chairman) and all related officials who have generously supported our players' training." Park Sang-kyu, who attended Chungnam Middle School and Daejeon High School, was selected as the first-round draft pick by Hanwha in 2008. He retired after playing five games with one hit and one RBI in 2013 at the first division level.
Lee Sang-geun, President of the Korea Youth Baseball Federation, said, "The weather was perfect for baseball, making this a happy tournament for all participants. We will continue to strive to make future events not just about results but also enjoyable family festivals." He added, "With a new regulation-sized baseball field nearing completion by the end of this year, we look forward to next year's Yanggu tournament. We are grateful to Yanggu County Mayor Kim Wang-gyu for preparing an excellent event and to all residents who have supported us wholeheartedly. We will do our utmost to expand youth baseball participation and contribute to local economic revitalization."
● Sprout League (U-9) ▲ Championship – Gyeonggi Big Dream Youth Baseball Team (Coach Nipert) ▲ Runner-up – Gyeonggi Hwimun Academy Youth Baseball Team (Coach Heo Yoon) ▲ MVP Hong Hyun-seo (Gyeonggi Big Dream Youth Baseball Team)
● Dream Na-mu League (U-11) ▲ Championship – Gyeonggi Hwimun Academy Youth Baseball Team (Coach Park Young-joo) ▲ Runner-up – Gyeonggi Namyangju Yano Youth Baseball Team (Coach Kwon Oh-hyun) ▲ MVP Park Do-yoon (Gyeonggi Hwimun Academy Youth Baseball Team)
● Dream Na-mu League (U-11) Hyunmu ▲ Championship – Gyeonggi Gapyeong G-SC Youth Baseball Team (Coach Im Kwang-seop) ▲ Runner-up – Gyeonggi Hwimun Academy Youth Baseball Team (Coach Park Young-joo) ▲ MVP Han Seo-jun (Gyeonggi Gapyeong G-SC Youth Baseball Team)
● Youth League (U-12) ▲ Championship – Gyeonggi Hwimun Academy Youth Baseball Team (Coach Park Young-joo) ▲ Runner-up – Gyeonggi HBC Youth Baseball Team (Coach Han Sang-hoon) ▲ MVP Kim Yun-jun (Gyeonggi Hwimun Academy Youth Baseball Team)
● Youth League (U-13) Cheongryong ▲ Championship – Daejeon Seo-gu Youth Baseball Team (Manager Park Sang-kyu) ▲ Runner-up – Gyeonggi Gwacheon City Youth Baseball Team (Manager Choi Jeong-gi) ▲ MVP Jung Ye-seung (Daejeon Seo-gu Youth Baseball Team)
● Youth League (U-13) Baekho ▲ Championship – Gyeonggi Icheon City Youth Baseball Team (Coach Park Cheol-woo) ▲ Runner-up – Gyeonggi Namyangju Eco Youth Baseball Team (Coach Seo Chang-ho) ▲ MVP Lee Hyun-seo (Gyeonggi Icheon City Youth Baseball Team)
● Junior League (U-16) ▲ Championship – Sejong Inter-Middle Baseball Team (Coach Im Dong-jin) ▲ Runner-up – Gyeonggi Gimpo City Youth Baseball Team (Coach Choi Hoon) ▲ MVP Heo Yun (Sejong Inter-Middle Baseball Team)
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*This content was translated by AI.
