Busan Gijang-gun Launches 'Gijang-KBO Baseball Center'... A Cradle for the Development of Korean Baseball

On the 20th, Busan's Gijang-gun announced that the 'Gijang Baseball Theme Park,' designated as a KBO Baseball Center, is emerging as a cradle for the development of Korean baseball through collaboration with the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO).

Aerial view of Gijang Baseball Theme Park.

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The Gijang Baseball Theme Park is a key project promoted by Gijang-gun aiming to create the largest baseball-themed cluster in Korea. Located within Ilgwang Amusement Park (Dongbaek-ri area, Ilgwang-eup), it features four regulation baseball fields, one little league baseball field, and one softball field, which are regularly used for various baseball games and training camps for professional, student, and amateur leagues.

Along with excellent baseball infrastructure, it has become a sacred ground for baseball enthusiasts nationwide by hosting world and national-level tournaments such as the U-18 World Youth Baseball Championship and the U-15 National Youth Baseball Championship.

In December 2022, it was officially recognized as a KBO Baseball Center, acknowledging its top-tier baseball infrastructure domestically. In February 2023, the 'Gijang-KBO Baseball Center Implementation Agreement' was signed, leading to the concentrated attraction of official KBO tournaments, events, and training sessions to Gijang-gun.

This year, under KBO's supervision, the 'Next Level Training Camp,' a training ground for youth baseball hopefuls nationwide, has been held since January. In the second half of the year, various 'KBO Baseball Center Programs' such as the 'T-ball Camp' for the general public and the 'KBO Education League' for professional and independent baseball teams are scheduled to take place at the Gijang Baseball Theme Park.

Looking ahead, the completion of the largest baseball sports cluster in Korea is expected with the establishment of facilities such as a baseball experience center with an indoor batting practice facility (scheduled for 2025), a baseball museum housing the Korean Baseball Hall of Fame (scheduled for 2026), a baseball plaza for various events and family picnics (scheduled for 2026), and a youth hostel for young players (scheduled for 2026). This will position Gijang-gun as a world-renowned baseball city.

Furthermore, the county plans to develop the Gijang Baseball Theme Park as a landmark tourist resource linked with various regional tourism attractions, promoting the influx of players and tourists through hosting large-scale tournaments and events, thereby revitalizing the local economy.

County Governor Jeong Jong-bok stated, “As Korea’s first official KBO Baseball Center, the Gijang Baseball Theme Park is expected to become a cradle for the future of Korean baseball and a mecca leading baseball development.” He added, “Moreover, we will contribute to regional tourism revitalization by establishing a Southeast region tourism belt that encompasses sports, marine tourism, and leisure.”

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