The LG Twins and coach Yeom Gyeong-yeop spent the season amid controversy over base stealing throughout the season. Manager Yeom said he would challenge for the championship with baseball this season. He said that even players who rarely steal bases because they are not fast-footed, such as Kim Hyun-soo and Park Dong-won, will try to steal bases. It was a strategy to prevent the opposing pitcher from being aware of not only some fast runners, but also slow runners, so that they could not fully focus on the batter. Of course, if you don’t mind runners, you can steal bases through gaps.
LG ran a lot. He succeeded in stealing 39 bases by the 5th. After he stole second base, he was often seen scoring runs on hits. In the home game against SSG Landers held in Jamsil on April 25th, Shin Min-jae, runner with one out and first baseman, succeeded in stealing second base in the bottom of the 9th inning, with the score tied 4-4, and Oh Ji-hwan’s walk-off hit resulted in a 5-4 victory.
However, there are many failures because of stealing bases too much. This is because the opponent is also preparing for LG’s stolen base. It failed 27 times. The stealing success rate is only 59.1%. Normally, it should exceed 70%, but LG’s stealing success rate is obviously low. Failure to steal can also break the flow of an attack. It is especially regrettable when a hit comes after a failed steal.
Some fans see the positive effect of stealing runs, and the opponent’s defense pays attention to stealing, resulting in more hits from hitters, while others worry about the adverse effect of failing to steal bases. Controversy for and against stealing continues.
However, director Yeom rather welcomed this controversy. He positively viewed providing issues to the KBO league, which only had wins and losses.
Director Yeom said, “There are pros and cons in the media articles, and fans say that you should do it or not,” and said, “I think this is baseball. A story must be made.” These issues allow fans to enjoy baseball more.
Director Yeom said, “From my point of view, I listen to opinions different from mine and think about it. Other teams may also think about doing it.” Having your own color can bring more fun to the fans.”
Is it the influence of LG’s running baseball? Recently, you can see baseball played by other teams as well. On the 29th, KIA succeeded in stealing three bases at LG Electronics. In the top of the 9th inning, when Han Seung-taek and LG Ham Deok-joo faced each other with two outs and bases loaded, third base runner Kim Gyu-seong jumped to third base. At this time, runners on 1st and 2nd base also jumped to 2nd and 3rd base, completing a triple steal.
In Lotte’s game against the KIA Tigers on the 2nd, 1st base runner Park Seung-wook tried to steal 2nd base, and when catcher Joo Hyo-sang threw to 2nd base, 3rd base runner Han Dong-hee dug into the home and scored. 안전놀이터
In recent baseball, it is difficult to see the clear team color of the coach. In the past, coach Jerry Royster’s Lotte, who played offensive baseball with little training, and Kim Seong-geun’s SK, who played detailed baseball with a lot of training, became a hot topic among fans. There was a lot of controversy over which baseball was more correct, but at that time, Lotte got out of the bottom ranks and advanced to the postseason for three consecutive years, and SK attracted more fans’ attention with good results, such as winning the championship.
It is true that Director Yeom’s running baseball is making a trend in the early part of the 2023 season. Every time a runner goes out in an LG game, fans pay attention to whether they can steal the base or stop the opponent. Controversy is brewing, so director Yeom’s primary goal is success. If this leads to victory, there is nothing more to wish for.