2023 WBC (World Baseball Classic), the overtime safe second base game that emerged as a hot topic. Lee Jeong-hoo (25), who won five gold medals in batting, announced that he would help runners advance with batting instead of bunts when the situation arises. In addition, he showed off his confidence that he was capable enough to do so.
The Korean WBC team, led by coach Lee Kang-cheol, trained for an overtime match at the Kino Sports Complex in Tucson, Arizona, on the 19th (hereafter referred to as Korean time). Key hitters such as Lee Jung-hoo and Park Byeong-ho were exceptionally committed to bunt training, and in the case of run-and-run and bunt training to be used as strategies, the KBO requested that the reporters stop filming.
Manager Lee Kang-cheol, who we met on the field, said, “If we are behind, if we give the first point in extra time, we have to score in our attack unconditionally. At that time, any player has to bunt,” he said. “Of course, Byeong-ho Park and Jung-hoo Lee are unlikely to bunt, but first of all, all players have to prepare. But when that situation comes, I think they will try to bunt on their own.”
The 2023 WBC has an overtime match rule. If the game cannot be decided by the regular innings, the innings will start from the 10th inning with second base safe, and the batting order at the end of the 9th inning will continue. There is a risk for both the bunt and the strong ball because it is the second base, not the first and second base like the Olympics. If you try to bunt, it will be a tag-out, not a force-out.
Lee Jung-hoo, who conducted bunt training that day, said, “In baseball, the one with the highest probability wins. Conducting power analysis is also to respond appropriately to the probability appropriate to the situation. Practice is also done in order to hit with a higher probability.”
However, Lee Jung-hoo does not plan to bunt unless there is a bench sign at second base. He said, “If there is no sign, I think I will just hit it.” Also, if I hit, a lot of scoring chances could follow.”
Behind this strategy is the confidence of a genius hitter who has grown into a representative hitter in the KBO League. Lee Jung-hoo said, “I think I have the ability to roll a batted ball between 1st and 2nd base. Rather than bunt, I will think about hitting the right fielder.”
But even so, “I shouldn’t have the greed to hit. Because I am a human, I want to make a great scene by hitting it,” he said, emphasizing that Kang Gong is a thorough team betting.
As a player who declared his advance to the major leagues after the end of the 2023 season, Lee Jung-hoo is constantly analyzing the local rules that are only available in the WBC at the lodging after training.
Lee Jung-hoo said, “Even when I’m resting in my room, I’m doing image training while thinking about various situations.” 메이저놀이터