Sliding Forward: The Kia Tigers

 

As spring blossoms in Korea, construction on the KIA Tigers’ Mudeung Stadium is booming in Gwangju. Lee Suk-bum, the team’s Public Relations manager, says the new stadium is for everybody: players, employees and fans, bringing positive results to all.

Lee confirmed that the stadium’s development will likely conclude this December, with space for 22,000 to 25,000 fans to sit and see games. Before the stadium’s construction, there was only space for 12,000.

Additional benefits from the stadium’s construction include the guaranteed business. Lee alluded to new employment that will be necessary for the general cleaning, security and grounds keeping of the stadium, among other responsibilities. He also stated that general concession stands, along with coffee shops and fast-food establishments, will be installed for consumption choices while fans watch the baseball.

The Tigers’ fan support has always been alive and impressive, initially promoted by the baseball team’s first championship win in 1983. More recently in 2009, the Tigers played the championship game with over 9,000 fans watching, either sitting or standing among tight crowding. Yet, Lee recalled, little leg room and narrow seats could not silence fans from cheering and applauding enthusiastically, as the fans witnessed the Tigers win their first championship game in 12 years, and their first win as the KIA Tigers. Lee reiterated that having the residents’ support meant so much to the baseball players…

The stadium has always been in the same location within northern Gwangju. Lee described the older facilities as providing narrow and uncomfortable seats, so he and others knew an upgrade was vital. The stadium’s updates have followed after Gwangju’s beloved baseball team’s name change.

The Haitai Tigers were initially founded as the third professional baseball team in Korea, and the previous stadium was constructed in 1965. The team’s sponsor, Haitai, was a food brand headquartered in Gwangju, reminiscent of Kraft in North America. With nine championships between the years of 1983 to 1997, the Haitai baseball team established itself among the elite in Korean baseball team competition.

But with changing economic times, Haitai was unable to generate national profit, and thus the company was on the verge of declaring bankruptcy. In order to preserve the baseball team’s sponsorship, KIA, a Korean car brand also based in Gwangju, stepped up and took over as the team’s sponsor. Since the take-over, the Haitai brand has recovered and is still operated locally in Gwangju. And through the entire transition, the baseball team has remained the Tigers, just with KIA as its sponsor.

With the pre-season in full swing, the field is anything but uninhabited. The current team is now training to conduct more exhibition games for their season’s warm-up, so the field inside the stadium under development is being put to beneficial usage.

In addition to the stadium’s positive development, the players are among the best prospects. Lee explained that in the past, Korean society was different, so baseball was too. Players came from bigger families with more siblings, so one son could play baseball, while another son could pursue another endeavor. Parents did not feel pressure to have their children start early in pursuing dreams. This past societal dimension promoted a playful approach for youth as they chose more freely to play baseball as a recreational sport.

Now, Lee explained, that mindset has disappeared, as smaller families exist with children having fewer siblings. The previous attitude replaced, parents are now more deliberate to encourage their children to begin their future endeavors at earlier ages, even in sports. And with more youth interested in playing baseball, the level of competition has risen to even higher standards. Lee stated that the baseball team members are now expected to have studied well in school, be knowledgeable of their sport and have proven that they are able to perform to their best potential, all before playing baseball with the KIA Tigers.

Lee, along with the rest of the KIA Tigers’ management staff, is grateful for such supporters as KIA Motors, Sports Toto and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism for their financial support of Gwangju’s baseball. To date, each group has invested a combined total of nearly 100 billion won, ensuring baseball in Gwangju will continue.

The support of the KIA Tigers is interconnected with the pride within Gwangju. Lee explained that each major Korean city receives funds from its citizens to support and enhance its image. For Koreans, a major aspect of their projected image is how strong their city’s baseball team is. To those born in Gwangju, this means of giving is also viewed as maintaining a part of their culture, as one of the citizens’ strongest relations in life is with their birthplace. When their baseball team wins, the city’s pride reaches its highest level, the city is promoted to Korean tourists, and the bond between residents is solidified.

Any financial support given to Gwangju’s baseball provides the funds and means for the KIA Tigers to train interested youth in learning how to play baseball well. Gwangju’s baseball team has been able to organize and lead day training camps and monthly sponsorship programs, where players interact one-on-one with the youth. The players are able to set aside money to help promising students successfully continue their education without difficulty.

Lee mentioned that all the children who attend these training sessions are invited to attend any baseball game, free of charge, at their convenience. The development of recent bonds between Gwangju’s youth and the KIA Tigers players means the children can choose for themselves whether they would like to pursue baseball in the future. In essence, present giving to baseball is an investment in the future winning of games.

Lee is satisfied that the athletes’ conditions are great and at their best. He commented that during recent practices, new player Kim Ju-chan has shared how he personally views the KIA Tigers as one of the best teams, and the fact that he is glad to have joined the ranks. Kim, a former player for Busan’s Lotte Giants, has also imparted his advice to motivate his teammates in preparation for this upcoming season.

Lee is also pleased with the determined match-ups this season, stating that the KIA Tigers are prepared and thrilled to participate in another season that is expected to be filled with success. With the likely possibility of winning again in 2013, just as they did in 2009, Lee and the KIA Tigers have a strong motivation to perform their best, and they hope to slide forward successfully, into home base and into the future.

Lee made sure to say that the KIA Tigers baseball team is always looking for enthusiastic fans, both citizen and foreigner-alike. So know that you are personally invited to come and support the KIA Tigers!

For more information about upcoming games and events, visit www.tigers.co.kr.