Growth only through challenge vs. lack of sustainability... mixed views
The spring training period for the 10 professional baseball teams has been shortened since 2017. The club accepted the request of the Professional Baseball Players Association to comply with the inactivity period until the end of January.
As the culture of making the most of inactive periods took root, a 'private education craze' took hold in professional baseball. Last month, KIA dispatched young pitchers at the team level to the Driveline Baseball Center in Seattle, USA, which improves velocity through a biomechanical pitching program. The league's leading hitter, Son Ah-seop (NC Dinos), became the batting champion (0.339) in the 2023 season based on the hitting mechanism he established while training with former big leaguer Kang Jung-ho, who runs a hitting academy in Los Angeles, USA last winter. This winter, many batters, including Kim Jae-hwan (Doosan Bears) and Han Dong-hee (Lotte Giants), visited the ‘Kang Jeong-ho School.’
The effect of studying abroad for a short period of time is not the only success story that divides opinion among baseball players . Even Jeong-hoo Lee (San Francisco Giants), who ranks first in batting average in the KBO League, changed his batting stance with personal coach Won-je Choi last winter. However, he returned to his original position after struggling at the beginning of the 2023 regular season. Among Lotte's young pitchers who trained directly at Driveline ahead of the 2020 season, none have proven their growth.
Baseball people's opinions are divided regarding the effectiveness of short-term study abroad or quick external tutoring.
Positivity is about appreciating the challenging spirit of players. Team B's first-team pitching coach said, "I don't think my coaching method is always the right answer. What's clear is that there's no need to look at something you haven't experienced in a negative light. Just knowing that there is a new way to improve your skills is meaningful." He said. Club C's pitching coach also said, "For players who have to show results (performance) right away, it will be painful to sit still for a long period of inactivity. Trying something new, even if it means spending your own money, will also have a positive effect on mental management."
Former SBS Sports commentator Lee Dong-hyun said, “It is a good thing to try ways to improve velocity and control,” and pointed out a positive point, saying, “Even if you are a player in your early 20s, you will have played baseball for quite a long time since elementary school. The mechanisms are familiar to you.” “I am concerned about the risk of side effects or injuries that may occur when suddenly changing the training. Also, although it is possible to see immediate results through short-term external training, there do not seem to be many cases where good skills are maintained consistently,” he said. One senior baseball player also said, "A player's batting and pitching training must be continuous. If possible, it is advisable to receive help from an instructor (team coach) who can constantly watch and communicate with the player."
It is said that there are quite a few players who are confused when the main stage (regular season) starts and are reluctant to communicate with their team's coaches because they do not properly understand the mechanics they learned abroad. MBC Sports Plus commentator Jeong Min-cheol emphasizes that ultimately, choice and development are the player's responsibility. Commissioner Jeong said, “Golf Emperor Tiger Woods and Major League Baseball (MLB) representative hitter Bryce Harper also receive care from personal coaches. There is no harm in experiencing ways to improve skills in various categories,” adding, “The training method that suits you best.” "You should not blindly trust this just because you have experienced it. There are no absolute values in baseball. Excellent players learn their own way by continuously repeating it with their body in order to remember the good feeling for a long time. That is up to the individual," he said.
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