Posted on 04/21/2020 2:48:57 AM PDT by Oldeconomybuyer
Seoul (AFP) - Professional sport returned to South Korea on Tuesday as coronavirus restrictions ease, with the first pitch thrown in a baseball pre-season derby in front of empty stands.
The Seoul-based Doosan Bears and LG Twins are Korea's biggest rivals in the country's most popular spectator sport and their shared stadium in the capital's Jamsil area would usually be packed.
But with fans barred, the stands were empty as the Twins' Cha Woo-chan threw the first pitch.
Even the cheerleaders -- an essential element of firing up the atmosphere at what would normally be a feverish encounter -- were also absent.
The stadium was silent except for the continuous clicking of camera shutters from around 50 members of the media, and occasional shouts from the dug-outs.
Reporters were not allowed to approach the players.
"Although it is being held behind closed doors, I think it's good that we can hold these games for the fans who are watching from their homes," said LG Twins media officer Kim Kwang-hwan.
"We hope that the coronavirus outbreak will be contained soon so many fans can come and enjoy our game just like previous years."
(Excerpt) Read more at france24.com ...
This is what MLB should be doing.
Anthony Fauci: MLB could play with fans in stands
https://nypost.com/2020/04/20/mlb-anthony-fauci-offers-sudden-hope-for-baseball-fans/
Go Doosan Bears! I think they are going to take the championship this year.
South Korean League page (could not find any live streaming info. in a brief look):
http://eng.koreabaseball.com/Default.aspx
Taiwan league site with live streaming info.:
http://cpblstats.com/quick-guide-2020-cpbl-season/
A couple more info. links:
https://www.royalsreview.com/2020/4/20/21226482/cpbl-livestream
https://www.si.com/mlb/2020/04/10/taiwan-baseball-begins-coronavirus
I just know there would be picketing if an American team went by the “Monkeys”.
MLB is now dickering with the union about cutting pay. Bad move. They are also looking into spreading out the season over three states - Arizona, Florida and now Texas. Another bad move.
I notice nobody wants to put teams in California where the weather ought to be beautiful with little rain. They are only considering states with Republican back-to-work governors. That’s a shrewd move. Governor Nuisance would shut down baseball in an instant.
Go Samsung (Daegu) Lions!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.