KIA Widemeyer Head Coach: "Korea is the Safest Place in the World"

Mark Weidemaier, Senior Coach of the KIA Tigers / Photo by KIA Tigers

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Seulgi Kim] Mark Weidemaier, the head coach of the KIA Tigers in professional baseball, said, "Korea is the safest place in the world."

On the 21st, the Baltimore-based media outlet 'The Baltimore Sun' reported an interview with KIA Tigers' head coach Weidemaier. In the interview, Coach Weidemaier said, "The Korean government is conducting excellent testing. As soon as you enter the stadium, your health condition is checked."

Coach Weidemaier explained, "Team staff wear masks. Some Korean players wear masks even when traveling about 4 hours from Seoul to Gwangju," adding, "Players do not shake hands or hug coaches and team staff, and they practice social distancing. Signs emphasizing social distancing are posted throughout the KIA clubhouse and dugout."

He also said, "We are playing baseball. It is similar to usual."

Earlier, on the 6th of last month, the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) proposed a 'social distancing campaign' in response to the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

The KBO stated, "The 10 teams in the KBO League have decided to limit face-to-face meetings with fans, autograph sessions and requests, gift deliveries, and close contact in player movement areas for the safety and health of fans and players as part of the government's emphasized 'social distancing'."

Meanwhile, this year's professional baseball regular season will start on May 5th with games played without spectators.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.