KBSN Sports baseball commentator Kim Tae-gyun (41), the legendary number 52 of the Hanwha Eagles, has successfully completed the “Kim Tae-gyun Youth Baseball Camp 2023” under his name.
Kim, who has been interested in expanding amateur baseball since his playing days, realized his dream of hosting a baseball camp under his own name three years after his retirement. The 52 participants were selected equally from all over the country according to Kim’s playing number. From Gangwon Province to Jeju Island, youth players from each region gathered in Hongseong.
On the day of the camp, heavy snowfall turned the baseball field into a snow field until dawn, and there were some concerns about whether the camp would be able to proceed. However, the event organizers, including Hongseong-gun, and Kim personally cleared the snow early in the morning, and as usual, the snow stopped and the sun came out, allowing the camp to proceed normally.
The players had an opening ceremony at the Nongyo Theater, which was emceed by announcer Son Moon-sun, singer Altio, who performed a song dedicated to Kim Tae-gyun, and the Hanwha Cheer Team, before moving to Hongseong Manhae Baseball Stadium for the main event.
While the players’ skills can’t improve much over the course of a day, the youth players were able to meet former and current KBO stars, talk to them about their questions, and receive direct guidance. After warming up with the professional trainers, the players received three hours of instruction on pitching, hitting, and fielding from coaches in each area.
Nine former and current players traveled to Hongseong at Kim’s request, including Jung Woo-ram, Chae Eun-sung, Lee Tae-yang (formerly of Hanwha), Kang Min-ho, Koo Ja-uk (formerly of the Samsung Lions), Son As-seob (NC Dinos), Heo Kyung-min (Doosan Bears), and retired players Choi Joon-seok and Yoo Hee-kwan.
After lunch, we invited professional referees to play a friendly match between TK and 52 teams. After the game, an award ceremony and autograph signing session gave the youth players an unforgettable experience.
Kim said, “I expect the youth players to lead Korean baseball in the future, following the KBO stars who came to this event. I hope they will keep the memories of meeting the active players when they return home.” Kim plans to continue organizing baseball camps for youths in the future.
The event was filmed by KBSN Sports and is scheduled to air in December.