Ryu Joong-il, coach of the Hangzhou Asian Games baseball team, emphasizes the importance of the number 6 hitter.
Numbers 1-2 are called table setters, numbers 3-5 are the clean-up trio, numbers 7-9 are called the lower batting lineup, but number 6 does not play any position. Accordingly, manager Ryu Joong-il describes number 6 as a ‘bomb batting order’ in the sense that it plays an important role in connecting the central batting lineup and the lower-ranking lineup. It is believed that the team’s performance varies depending on the performance of the number 6 hitter.
Coach Ryu Joong-il made changes to the starting lineup ahead of the third game of the Group B preliminary match against Thailand on the 3rd. The most noticeable thing is Kang Baek-ho’s batting order adjustment. Kang Baek-ho, who played key role No. 4 against Hong Kong and Taiwan, but went 0-hit in 8 at-bats, was appointed at No. 6, and Yoon Dong-hee, who has the best hitting feel among the hitters on the team, was appointed at No. 3 instead of No. 6. Noh Si-hwan, who ranks first in home runs, took on the role of batter number 4. His number 5 hitter belongs to Moon Bo-kyung.
Manager Ryu Joong-il’s use of Kang Baek-ho at number 6 can be seen as similar to his use of Lee Seung-yeop (current Doosan manager) as number 6 hitter in the past when he was the head coach of Samsung. By placing him at number 6, he was expected to play an important role in bridging the upper and lower ranks of the batting order, alleviating the burden.
Same thing this time too. It was decided that it would be best to use Kang Baek-ho at number 6 to relieve personal burden and also for the team. Manager Ryu Joong-il’s adjustment of the batting order was effective. 메이저놀이터
Kang Baek-ho, who had gone 0-hit in 8 at-bats before today’s game, finally reported his first hit and RBI. After striking out on a missed swing in the first inning, he retired with a fly to center field in the third inning, but with no outs in the fourth inning, he brought in all runners with a hit to right with second and third base on base. Korea defeated Thailand 17-0, in a cold game in the 5th inning, and finished in second place in the Group B preliminary round.
Manager Ryu Joong-il said after the game, “We were able to win easily because the batting lineup was connected well at the beginning of the game. “Currently, Yoon Dong-hee has the best batting feel, so I placed him at number 3 and it seems like he connected well,” he said. It seems likely that Kang Baek-ho will continue to be used as number 6 in the Super Round.
Kang Baek-ho, who reported the hit and RBI that day, said, “I feel so sorry for the players. “I feel very sorry for putting a big burden on a young player while playing number 4,” he said. “I think the players were very worried about me.” Several players gave me feedback, and luckily I got a timely hit in the last at-bat. “I will use this as an opportunity to work hard to help the team win.”
He continued, “When he hit his first hit, it felt good to see so much support from his teammates, and the support from the many fans who came here really helped me a lot. “There are many important games left, so I will work harder,” he added.
Kang Baek-ho said, “The national team is always the same. He has a great sense of responsibility as he plays with the Taegeuk symbol. “He felt the weight of being a key player, not the youngest, and he said, “I will work hard to show a good game by uniting with the spirit of the young players.”