KBO Launches First Regular After-School Program 'Teeball School Growing Through Baseball' with Min Byung-heon as Instructor

*This content was translated by AI.

The Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) announced on the 22nd that it will launch 'Teeball School Growing Through Baseball,' a regular after-school activity program for elementary schools, starting in the second semester of this year.

According to the KBO, 'Teeball School Growing Through Baseball' is a program restructured and expanded from the previous one-time educational initiative 'KBO Visiting Teeball Classroom' into a full-semester regular curriculum. It was planned to actively reflect demands for sustained educational support at schools and the growing need for high-quality after-school programs.

Classes are operated in two tracks tailored to students' developmental stages. The 'Baseball Play Class' for grades 1–2 introduces teeball through play-based activities such as form-bat hitting and Velcro catch-ball, sparking interest in the sport. The 'Teeball Class' for grades 3–6 is an advanced program that builds on mastering fundamentals like hitting and fielding and understanding rules, culminating in hands-on game experiences. Both tracks run once a week for a total of 10 weeks.

The pilot schools operating this year include Seoul Gilwon Elementary, Suwon Changyong Elementary, Gwangju Saebyeol Elementary, Ulsan Myeongchon Elementary, and Changwon Jayeo Elementary—five schools nationwide. To enhance the professionalism and stability of on-site education, classes are supported by KBO League retired players serving as volunteer committee members, professional teeball instructors, and student teachers from colleges of education who serve as assistant instructors.

Min Byung-heon, a KBO volunteer committee member teaching in the Teeball Class at Seoul Gilwon Elementary, said, "Even though it's an early morning 0-period class, I was impressed by how actively many students participated." He added, "I hope this interest extends to baseball as a whole, and I will work together with the children over the remaining nine weeks to ensure they fully enjoy the fun of teeball."

Choi Yun-jeong, a teacher at Ulsan Myeongchon Elementary who applied for the program, stated, "After the 'Visiting Teeball Classroom,' students' interest grew significantly, so we decided to apply for this Teeball School." She further noted, "During the operation of our school's sports club, the high-level technical guidance and systematic support provided by professional instructors have been greatly helpful."

The KBO plans to gradually expand participation in the Teeball School to additional schools based on the outcomes of this pilot program at five schools and feedback from the educational field.

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*This content was translated by AI.