Czech baseball manager hoping to make most of exhibition games vs. Korea

Pavel Chadim, second from left, manager of the Czech Republic national baseball team, poses with other guests for a reception hosted by the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) in Seoul, Friday, the eve of a game between South Korea and the Czech Republic in Seoul, in this photo provided by the KBO. From left: Czechia captain Martin Muzik, Chadim, Czech Ambassador to South Korea Ivan Jancarek, KBO Commissioner Heo Koo-youn, South Korea manager Ryu Ji-hyun and South Korea captain Park Hae-min. Yonhap

Czech Republic national baseball team manager Pavel Chadim said Saturday he wants to make the most of the games against South Korea in Seoul this weekend, with both countries gearing up for the World Baseball Classic (WBC) next spring.

The two countries will meet in their first game of the WBC in Tokyo in March 2026 but will get an early peek at each other for a pair of exhibition games scheduled at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul.

"A little crazy (fact) is that we start the WBC with Korea, but it's life, and we really appreciate that we are here," Chadim said with a smile during his pregame media availability. "I hope that we will play a similar level like last year against Japan and against Taiwan. I hope the fans will see great baseball because I know that the Korean baseball team is a great team, one of the best in the world, and I hope that our guys will be better prepared for the WBC."

Chadim also managed the Czechs when they made their WBC debut in 2023. Regarded as an emerging baseball country in Europe, the Czech Republic has also made headlines for featuring players with day jobs.

Chadim himself is a neurologist, and his captain, Martin Muzik, is a groundskeeper for his club in the Czech league. The team also includes an accountant and an electrician.

Muzik, who played college ball in the United States, said baseball means "everything" to him.

"I grew up playing baseball since I was 12 years old, and I've never played any other sport," the infielder said. "Sometimes, it's a little difficult with a job because you don't have that much time for practice, but we try to take it as professionals and be the best on the field."

Chadim added with a grin: "I think about baseball every day, and I spend the most time in my life on baseball. But my family cannot know this."