By Jordan Long
Major League Baseball here in North America is on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For those that need their baseball fix, catch the Korea Baseball Organization which is South Korea’s equivalent to MLB. Their season has already kicked off, but baseball fans can watch their games on ESPN.
The Korea Baseball Organization has a total of 10 teams, Kiwoom Heroes, LG Twins, Doosan Bears, SK Wyverns, KT Wiz, NC Dinos, Samsung Lions, Lotte Giants, Kia Tigers, and Hanwha Eagles. They make the schedule balanced, meaning each team plays each other 16 times for a total of 144 games. In most years’ Monday is a day off for every team. With the pandemic and trying to fit all games in, that will not happen this year.
There are a few differences between this league and the MLB. First is the use of the designated hitter (DH). In MLB, only one league uses the DH, the American League. The only time the National League teams adds a DH and doesn’t have the pitcher hit in the lineup is when they play at an American League ballpark. Most of the time, the pitcher bunts to move the runner over into scoring position. In the Korea Baseball Organization, the designated hitter is used in all games. Pitchers are allowed to hit only if the team that allows them to.
In Major League Baseball as we all know, games are played until there is a winner. This can last a minimum of 9 innings or go 20 innings or more. That is not true for Korea. Games can end in a tie after 12 innings. In the postseason, if games are tied after 15 innings the game is over. They are forced to replay the game.
When it comes to the postseason, 5 teams make it. They do a stepladder format. Teams 4 and 5 face each other with the winner advancing to play the #3 team. The #2 team in the league is in the semi-finals. The team with the best record in the regular season is in the finals. The first round is a best of 3, second and third-rounds best of 5, and the finals is a best of 7. The better record starts with a 1-0 series lead.
When teams travel, they don’t use airplanes. Since Korea is a much smaller country than North America, they travel by bus, similar to Minor League Baseball.
The defending champion in the league is Doosan Bears. They swept the Kiwoom Heroes in the championship series last year. The team who has won the league the most times is the Kia Tigers who own 11 championships. Watch some Korea Baseball Organization action this weekend. Games are broadcasted on ESPN early at 4 AM Eastern Time on Saturday and 1 AM on Sunday. ESPN will re-air the games at a decent hour for all to enjoy.
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