The Only Independent Baseball League in Korea, 'Independent Baseball Team Gyeonggi-do League,' Opens on the 25th

[Asia Economy (Gwangju) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Korea's only independent baseball league, the 'Independent Baseball Team Gyeonggi-do League,' kicked off its 2022 season on the 25th with the opening game between Yeoncheon Miracle and Seongnam Macpies at Team Up Campus Field 2 in Gwangju.

Now in its fourth year, the Independent Baseball Team Gyeonggi-do League features six teams: Yeoncheon Miracle, Goyang Winners, Paju Challengers, Seongnam Macpies, Pocheon Monsters, and Gapyeong Whales, competing over a seven-month journey until October.

Each team plays 40 games, totaling 120 games in the regular season, followed by a final tournament among the top three teams.

The teams ranked second and third compete in a best-of-three series, and the winner faces the first-place team in a best-of-five series to determine the champion.

Although last year's champion, Gwangju Hyenas, disbanded, leaving some regret, the Pocheon Monsters were newly established, and Siheung Wolves relocated their base to become the Gapyeong Whales, maintaining a six-team structure.

This season, all games held at Team Up Campus Field 2 will be broadcast live through the YouTube channel 'Independent Baseball Team Gyeonggi-do League.'

Additionally, exchange games with professional baseball's second teams and university teams, which were not held last year due to COVID-19, will be expanded, and tryouts (open selection tests) will be conducted by inviting professional teams.

Oh Byung-kwon, Acting Governor of Gyeonggi-do, conveyed in a video message, "Gyeonggi-do will continue to promote the activation of independent baseball teams and expand the stage to realize players' dreams," adding, "We expect players to perform brilliantly without injuries."

Since 2019, Gyeonggi-do has supported the Independent Baseball Team Gyeonggi-do League to provide a platform for players who have not entered professional leagues or who have retired or been released to pursue their dreams of professional baseball again.

In July last year, the 'Ordinance on the Promotion and Support of Independent Baseball in Gyeonggi-do' was enacted, establishing a legal basis for support.

This year, in addition to the existing league operating expenses and appearance fees, allowances for managers and coaches have been newly introduced, enabling more stable league operations.

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