"If the contract goes well..." Ulsan ace smiles brightly despite the pain of a failed move to LG: "Ulsan was a warm city, I want to challenge the Korean stage again" [Interview]

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

"A contract is ultimately a matter of fate and timing, I think."

He narrowly missed out on the opportunity to advance to the first division of the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) League, which was within his grasp. Akita Take Okada (33, Ulsan Whales), who revisited that regret just two months later, instead smiled brightly.

Okada met with StarNews at Ulsan Munsu Baseball Stadium on the 31st of last month and said, "Everyone from the Ulsan Whales and the LG Twins made every effort, but it was a pity that the transfer did not materialize," while adding, "However, I do not think it is anyone's fault. It seems like the timing just didn't align in various situations."

It was an incident that stirred up the Korean baseball world. In August, LG selected Okada, a Japanese pitcher from Ulsan, as a replacement for Lachlan Wells (29), their Asian quota pitcher who suffered a shoulder injury. At the time, Okada had proven his competitiveness by recording 4 wins, 3 losses, 1 save, and 1 hold with an ERA of 2.45 in 13 games in the Futures League.

LG inquired several times to the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) for rule interpretations and received answers stating there were no issues with the acquisition. Accordingly, Ulsan completed a transfer agreement, and Okada, after saying goodbye to his teammates, headed to Seoul. LG's uniform and equipment were prepared, and he even signed the contract.

However, just before the official announcement on August 12, an unexpected event occurred. The KBO reversed its previous interpretation and notified that transfers of foreign players affiliated with Ulsan were only possible until July 31. Consequently, the transfer fell through, and the KBO apologized to both clubs, acknowledging insufficient review of the regulations. At the time, LG manager Yeom Kyung-yeop also expressed regret, saying, "The player is the most pitiful." Okada had previously conveyed his gratitude to the LG club via his social media, while noting that he had not yet settled his feelings.

After about two and a half months had passed, Okada's reaction upon meeting again was slightly different. He said, "I believe the transfer talk could happen because LG recognized the skills I showed in Ulsan. Since they evaluated me so highly, I am grateful."

Coincidentally, his excellent pitching performance against LG after the failed transfer also became a topic of discussion. On August 31, Okada started against the LG Futures team and led Ulsan to a 1-0 victory with 6 innings pitched, 4 hits allowed, 1 walk, 7 strikeouts, and no earned runs.

There were views that he had impressively defeated the club that had tried to acquire him. However, Okada shook his head. He said, "People around me mentioned such things, but I did not have any such feelings at all," explaining, "It was just a good result because my physical condition and pitching content were good at the time. I did not think of it specially just because the opponent was LG." He then added with a smile, "From the perspective of fans watching, it must have been interesting to see me pitch well against LG after the transfer fell through."

For Okada, who turned his regretful memories into stories mixed with laughter, the season in Korea was special. In 2015, he was drafted in the first round of the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) rookie draft by the Hiroshima Toyo Carp. In 2017, he contributed to Hiroshima's Central League championship with a record of 12 wins, 5 losses, and an ERA of 4.00. However, injuries and slumps followed, and in 2021, he even underwent ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction surgery (Tommy John surgery) on his right elbow.

Ultimately, leaving the Japanese professional stage, he continued his playing career in amateur baseball last year. It was a period when he seriously considered retirement. Okada revealed, "I really did think about quitting. But my wife and family encouraged me to keep playing baseball as long as I could throw at 150 km/h. People around me also encouraged me, saying that since I am still young, I can do more."

The opportunity that came at that time was the Ulsan Whales, founded this year. He wanted to experience baseball in a new country and was particularly interested in the ABS (Automated Ball-Strike System), which did not exist in Japan. Okada said, "When I actually experienced it, I found that the ABS fit my pitching style very well. I believe it had a direct impact on achieving good results this year," explaining, "My velocity may have dropped a bit compared to the past, but now I can throw the ball where I want and pitch without fear for my elbow."

On the 30th of last month, in the 2026 Ulsan-KBO Fall League semifinal against the KIA Tigers, he also threw fastballs reaching a maximum speed of 150 km/h. He was replaced after being hit on the finger by a hard-hit ball while pitching well with 3⅓ innings pitched, 2 hits allowed, no walks or hit batters, 3 strikeouts, and 1 run allowed, but fortunately, hospital examination showed no signs of fracture.

Okada said, "Last year I played amateur baseball, but this year I signed a professional contract with Ulsan again and was able to play baseball in front of fans. It was a season where I left some results and gained confidence," expressing gratitude by adding, "Both Hiroshima and Ulsan were good cities where I could feel the warm support of the fans."

So, will he challenge the KBO League again next year? Okada did not hastily reveal expectations toward a specific club. Instead, he smiled again and spoke about the difficulties of contracts. He said, "It is something I have felt during my playing career, but just because I say I want to go to a certain club does not mean I can necessarily go. Even if multiple clubs show interest, the situation, conditions, and timing must align. Ultimately, a contract is a matter of fate and timing."

When asked if he had the intention to continue playing in Korea, he joked with a smile, "If the contract goes well this time," emphasizing, "I think I can play baseball in Korea next year as well. I believe I must continue to develop. If I do my best in what I can do now, I will meet good fate and be able to repay it with good results somewhere next year."

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original