'Kids who didn't even have gloves became pro players': The miracle of Choi Dong-won's free baseball class that endured for 11 years... First pro players produced for Hanwha and Kiwoom, selected for the Indomitable Hero Award

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

At first, they could not even properly equip themselves with baseball gear. Children who had come out to the field in shorts without gloves became professional baseball players after 11 years. The free baseball class started in the name of the late Choi Dong-won has borne meaningful fruit by producing its first two professional players since its founding.

The Choi Dong-won Youth Baseball Team received the 7th Baeksong Holdings Choi Dong-won Indomitable Hero Award at the 13th BNK Busan Bank Choi Dong-won Award Ceremony held on the 11th at the Ocean Hall of the BNK Busan Bank headquarters in Munhyeon-dong, Nam-gu, Busan.

The Indomitable Hero Award, hosted by the Choi Dong-won Memorial Foundation, is presented to individuals or organizations that have continued exemplary activities despite difficult circumstances, honoring Choi Dong-won's fighting spirit and dedication. This year's recipient was the Choi Dong-won Youth Baseball Team. It received a prize of 10 million won in recognition of its contributions over 11 years in coaching children who had difficulty accessing baseball due to financial hardships.

The Choi Dong-won Youth Baseball Team began as a free baseball class in 2015 with 42 young baseball dreamers. Its purpose was to provide children with the opportunity to learn baseball regardless of their economic circumstances and to cultivate "Second Choi Dong-won Kids" who would carry on the spirit of the late Choi Dong-won.

However, the operation process was not smooth. Due to budget shortages, they had to conduct free classes for six months of the year and paid classes for the remaining six months. Fortunately, with support from the Busan city government this year, it became possible to operate the class for free throughout the year.

Currently, around 30 children gather every Saturday and Sunday to train at the sports field of the Asia Community School in Munhyeon-dong, Nam-gu, Busan. Each April, they select new students equal to the number of graduates, continuing the baseball class for its 11th year.

These efforts have led to the fruit of producing its first professional players this year. Choi Su-hong (18, Gyeongnam High School), a member of the third cohort, was selected in the 4th round, 39th overall pick, by the Hanwha Eagles, while Kim Min-seo (18, Busan High School), from the second cohort, was drafted in the 11th round by the Kiwoom Heroes. Choi Su-hong also signed a contract with Hanwha for a signing bonus of 80 million won. Hanwha highly evaluated the growth potential of Choi Su-hong, a tall right-handed pitcher standing over 190 cm.

The professional entry of the two players holds significance beyond simply having two draft picks emerge. This is because the team's founding purpose of providing children with the opportunity to learn baseball regardless of their financial situation has actually led to the production of professional players.

Choi Su-hong also attended the ceremony in person. He said, "When I was young, sitting in that seat and nurturing my dream of becoming a professional baseball player felt like just a dream, but standing here now as a pro baseball player is truly moving." He added, "Senior Choi Dong-won once said that a real star is not one floating in the sky, but one that shows you the way and becomes your dream. I would be grateful if our junior players could also strive to become such stars."

The significance of the award named after Choi Dong-won lies here as well. Choi Dong-won left his name in Korean baseball history by leading the Lotte Giants to victory in the 1984 Korea Series. Even after retirement, he is remembered as a figure symbolizing fighting spirit and dedication.

The Choi Dong-won Memorial Foundation has operated the Choi Dong-won Award, given to the best pitcher in professional baseball, since 2014. In 2018, it established the High School Choi Dong-won Award, and through the Indomitable Hero Award, it also highlights the activities of individuals and organizations that have contributed to the development of baseball. The ceremony, held on November 11 to symbolize Choi Dong-won's jersey number 11, was attended by Choi Dong-won's mother, Mrs. Kim Jung-ja, Kwon Ki-woo, the first chairman of BNK Busan Bank, and Kang Jin-su, the secretary-general.

Jo Woo-hyun, chairman of the Choi Dong-won Memorial Foundation, said, "On November 11, many of you here will remember the number 11." He added, "This year is especially special as Player Choi Dong-won has been inducted as a sports hero. It feels fulfilling that the Memorial Foundation has played a small role in this."

He also presented the direction the Choi Dong-won Award should head toward. Chairman Jo stated, "The US has the Cy Young Award and Japan has the Sawamura Award," adding, "We will continue to strive and constantly develop so that Korea can have the Choi Dong-won Award worthy of such standards."

Busan Mayor Jeon Jae-soo paid tribute to Player Choi Dong-won's baseball life and spirit of challenge through a video message. The mayor mentioned Choi's miraculous fighting spirit displayed in the 1984 Korea Series and his life pouring everything into baseball, which he loved, saying, "I hope that the strong yet absolutely unbreakable spirit of challenge contained in these brief words will be passed on to the award recipients receiving this honor today." He further stated, "The Busan city government will also carry on Player Choi Dong-won's legacy and work together for the development of youth baseball and regional sports."

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original