The 32nd National Korea Softball championship was held from Sept 15-19th amidst the Covid 19 pandemic.
It was successfully held under strict operation procedures in place and adhered which included no spectators, only teams and the people concerned were allowed to enter the venue – Seoul Grand Park at Gyunggi-do.
Also in place were chambers to measure the temperature of those allowed to enter the park, sanitisers were readily available and all at the venue had to wear mask, while the dugouts were disinfected after every game.
The championship saw five categories competed – Under-15, Under-18, University, Open and Club.
The Open category was won by Incheon Sports Council who defeated Daegu Urban Corporation in the final. Joint third placed were Gyeongnam Sport Council and Busan Sports Council.
Other results:
U-15:
Winner: Guam Middle School
Runner-up: Cheonan Middle School
U-18:
Winner: Sinjung High School
Runner-up: Ilsan High School
University:
Winner: Dankook University
Runner-up: Sangji University
Club:
Winner: Gyunggi Softball Club
Runner-up: Bueheon Fantasia
# In effort to further popularise the game in Korea, there has been sports classes organised for girl students, which is ongoing from April and will go on till end of December.
About 40 schools – from Elementary to High Schools – from all parts of Korea have been involved in this programme.
Instructors who comprise of coaches and players who are active or about to be retired, who go to the schools and teach softball and distribute softball equipment.
# Upcoming plans include the 2020 Softball League which is scheduled to be held from 12th November to 18th November at Incheon LPG Sports Town.
KBSA will recruit about 60 players each division (Under-18 and University/Adults) and make 4 mixed teams.
There is also an Umpire seminar on the cards to be held on Nov 11th and 12th at the same place.
It is a refresher course for KBSA umpires and also to find new softball umpires.