Preseason openers see record number of fans

By Cho Mu-hyun

The opening weekend of Korean baseball’s exhibition games saw a record setting 101,352 spectators at ballparks over the weekend.

The previous high for the opening weekend of preseason games was 70,452 last year, and the all-time high number of fans was despite the cancelation of the game between the Hanwha Eagles and Nexen Heroes on Saturday due to rain.

Three of the four ball parks -- Jamsil Stadium, Incheon Munhak Stadium and Busan Sajik Stadium -- all saw over 10,000 people before the 1 p.m. start.

Chungju Stadium, which has the lowest capacity of the four with 7,500, was full for the first time in an exhibition game on Sunday.

Jamsil Stadium, home to the Doosan Bears and LG Twins’ saw its 18,000 seats filled on both Saturday and Sunday, for games between the Twins and reigning champions the Samsung Lions.

Sajik, where the Lotte Giants hosted their opener against theBears, saw 10,843 spectators on Saturday and 14,508 on Sunday.

“It wasn’t like an exhibition game,” said Kia Tigers manager Sun Dong-yul in Incheon where his team faced the SK Wyverns. I was worried (of this year’s popularity) because of the match-fixing scandal but I think fans are showing the same love this year (for baseball).”