I’m delighted to be rejoined by someone I’m pleased to call a friend, Jee-ho Yoo.
Jee-ho’s an English-language sports writer for South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency who, fresh off three weeks in Milan covering the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, now finds himself stationed in Tokyo for Pool C play of the World Baseball Classic where he’ll be writing about the Korean team’s bid to qualify for the knockout round for the first time in 17 years.
I first became familiar with Jee-ho thanks to another former Conversations’ guest, Andrew Chong (Season 2, Episode 14) from Sports-Reference LLC. Andrew pointed me in the direction of Jee-ho for more knowledge about the Korean Baseball Organization as I prepped for my upcoming trip to Korea and Japan as part of the Around the World in 80 Sporting Events project.
Jee-ho joined me for the first time a little over a year ago in Season 4, Episode 7. Following that Conversation, we had a brief meet-up while I was in Seoul watching the Doosan Bears and LG Twins play (Event No. 16). We connected again (as the photo above indicates) in the Milano Ice Skating Arena during the recently completed Winter Olympics.
Separately, I might have even more excited than Jee-ho was when I spotted him in this MLB video about baseball in South Korea. It’s a 10-minute view well worth your time:-)
OK, terrified might be too strong a descriptor, but unlike my first two trips that left U.S. borders, this one doesn’t simply take me one nation to the north or even across the Atlantic Ocean to a place that still calls English the official language. No, this one travels 14-plus hours west – so far west, in fact that it becomes east – Seoul, South Korea. Then, after several days there it’s off to Tokyo, Japan, for the second leg.
Last time I checked, Korea and Japan have wildly different cultures from what I’ve experienced for nearly 58 years of life. English is not the primary language and, speaking of language, I’m pretty certain no amount of advanced Babbel study would help me read menu items in the amount of prep time I’ve had. (Here’s hoping there are some pictures or staff who are willing to assist.)
So what is it that’s taking me and four buddies halfway around the world for the better part of 10 days?
What I did not predict was how challenging securing KBO tickets would be. It turns out Korean baseball is wildly popular and – far and away – the most sought-after sports tickets in the country. Non-season tickets are only made available eight days prior to the game, there’s a four ticket limit, and a Korean address is required to purchase. Further complicating our predicament is that Seoul’s LG Twins play their Jamsil co-tenants, the Doosan Bears, when we’re looking to attend with a seating capacity of 25,000. Oh yeah, it’s also a long holiday weekend while we’ll be there. We’ve got someone on the case and – fingers fully crossed – we’ll wind up going. Otherwise, it’s likely to be the Gocheok SkyDome for a Kiwoom Heroes game as a consolation.
As for the KBL, if the Seoul Knights (the regular-season winners) advance to the Championship Series we’re going to try and get there if schedules permit … and the ticket gods bless us;-)
The view from behind homeplate at Tokyo Yakult Swallows’ Meiji Jingu Stadium.
I was online at the prescribed hour and was feverishly refreshing my browser but had no success. The entire two week tournament is sold out and, by all accounts, was no sooner than I’d logged in. There is a secondary market, but the prices are steep and consumers are warned about an abundance of counterfeits. Will we want to see this tradition-rich sport at the cost? I’m thinking yes, but that’ll likely be discussed during our time together in Seoul.
As for the sports stuff, I’ll keep you all updated – best I can – here at The Sports Fan Project. And for the rest of my travels, I’ll be trying to post regular brief Travelogues over at my Middle-Aged Male Musings‘ site. If you’re not subscribed to either/both, I invite you to do so now to have all posts delivered directly to your inbox.
Ken, who was a teacher in Grosse Pointe, MI, much of his career, took a position prior to the 2023-24 school year working with students of American military personnel on U.S. bases throughout Japan. He was kind enough to pass along a few images from his experience at Jamsil.
A few sights from the KT Wiz at LG Twins game. Clockwise from upper left, Ken’s family includes his son Dorian, daughter Ariella, and his wife Katya; all of the drainage grates are decorative; KFC does in fact stand for Kentucky Fried Chicken and not Korean Fried Chicken; there is a stand dedicated to the visiting team; paper tickets still exist; the view from Ken’s seat of the infield and the scoreboard; finally, the Olympic Stadium from the 1988 Summer Games sits on the same complex as Jamsil Baseball Stadium. (Photos by Ken Ferguson)
Beyond everything being announced and printed in a different language, Ken noted another big difference between American and Korean baseball was the near constant chanting and cheering from the stands – with cheerleaders – no matter the score or game situation. He shot a bit of video in an effort to capture that feel.
The crowd cheers and chants during the action. (Video courtesy of Ken Ferguson)
(If your travels take you to an interesting sports venue or sporting event, The Sports Fan Project would loveto share it with a wider audience. Full credit will always been given to anyone who shares. Please contact us at hilldouglast@gmail.com.)
