Lotte Giants Starts Winter Field Training

On Jan. 11, Lotte Giants baseball stadium in Gimhae, South Gyeongsang Province, was filled with rotund shouts and puffing breaths. Led by the first foreigner, Jerry Royster, to take the helm of the professional baseball team, the Lotte Giants aimed to advance to the Final Four this season, as they started winter field training.

48 baseball players ran and stretched their bodies in front of Royster and pitching coach Fernando Arroyo. Lee Dae-ho, who has a massive body, had to run the outfield several times due to his slow pace.

Ma Hae-yeong, who had played with the Lotte Giants between 1995 and 2000, was on the field. He was said to have participated in the training so that he could take a test to join the team. “I feel great to be home,” he said. “My goal is to contribute to the team’s victory this season.”

“His physical condition is good and he is practicing hard. After reviewing his pitching technique, I will decide whether we will bring in him or not,” said Manager Royster. The players moved to an indoor training facility to practice catching balls and defending skills. The facility is 50 meters wide and 50 meters long, and equipped with an automatic net on both sides for pitching and batting practices.

Some pitchers hurled their balls in front of coach Fernando Arroyo who was demonstrating practical tips and drills to correct pitching motions that hamper the ball’s speed. After lunch, players headed for the weight training room on the second floor to buildup their weaknesses.

Practice that day ended with an orientation for coaching staff and players. After finishing field training at Sangdong Stadium, the Lotte Giants pitcher team will depart to Saipan while the field team will leave for Kagoshima, Japan for overseas training.

beetlez@donga.com