The Korea Women’s Baseball Federation said, “On June 18, the 2022 Women’s Baseball Festival will be held for women in the first baseball field of Nanji Hangang Park in Seoul. If you’re a woman who likes and enjoys baseball, you’re the star of this event.”
The event is hosted and organized by the Korea Women’s Baseball Federation under the purpose of “activating women’s baseball and expanding the base,” and sponsored by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and the Korea Sports Promotion Foundation. In line with the purpose of the event, various experiences and events were held so that women could not only watch baseball but also participate in person.It has already been 15 years since the federation was formed, and festivals are held steadily every year. Led by the sixth chairman (Jung Hee-hwang), the vice president of the administration, the advisors of the first to fifth former chairmen, and former professional baseball leaders are composed of advisors.
Among several countries (US/Korea/Japan/Taiwan) where Korean players play in the U.S. Major League and have professional leagues, popular sports baseball will already be of constant interest to the public. Of course, it may be considered a spectator sport, but the U.S./Japan, which already has a solid foundation and base beyond women’s participation and fostering sports as players, has a considerable number of domestic leagues and players. It is regrettable that in Korea, it is still supported by the government as part of social sports, or hobbies.
However, even with poor support such as players and coaches, passion and effort can be felt great. Of course, the annual women’s baseball festival is seen as a representative event for it
The opening ceremony was held at 1 p.m. on the 18th. Various events and events are held before and after the opening ceremony. Women’s baseball promotion and experience zones and flea markets were held at the square around the first baseball stadium in Nanji Hangang Park. Then, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the 18th, the Women’s Baseball Promotion and Experience Zone will be operated, allowing various people, including women’s baseball players as well as family and friends, to enjoy baseball together. The federation gave small souvenirs to participants who participated in events and experiences
After the opening ceremony, there was a friendly match between women’s national baseball players and youth baseball players, and it was a place where you could see the present and future of women’s baseball in one place.
The festival lasted until the 26th. On the 19th, 25th, and 26th, women’s baseball players played as scheduled at Nanji Hangang Park 1st Baseball Stadium and Hwaseong Dream Park Women’s Stadium. The game was watched for free.
KILSUNG CHOI
ASIA JOURNAL
