Geelong Korea, an off-season development ground for up-and-coming players, will not operate this year.
The Australian Baseball League (ABL) announced on its official website on Friday (KST) that “Geelong Korea will not be participating in the ABL in 2023-2024.” “With planning and scheduling for the 2023-2024 ABL season nearly complete, Geelong Korea will not be participating,” the organization said.
Geelong Korea was founded in 2018 and competed in the ABL for three seasons, missing the 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 seasons due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
It was an opportunity for young prospects and players nearing the end of their careers to keep their hands in the game. While the team finished in the bottom eight in all three seasons, players like Kim Min-seok (Lotte), Seo Ho-cheol (NC), Jang Jae-young (Kiwoom), and Choi Ji-min (KIA) made significant strides and quickly established themselves as key players in the team.
“This was a difficult decision,” said ABL CEO Glenn Williams. We are very sad to see Geelong Korea leave the Australian Baseball League, but we have had in-depth discussions with all parties. We have made this decision in the best interests of the Australian Baseball League, our fellow teams, corporate partners and fans.”
According to multiple sources, Geelong Korea’s withdrawal from the Australian League was notified by the ABL. The decision to drop Geelong was made after the league finalized the participation of six clubs from inland Australia.
An official said, “Geelong Korea has been at the bottom of the standings, but it has been a good stage for the development of promising players. This year, we were discussing sending players from the commercial baseball team as well.”
Several clubs were also thinking of linking up with Geelong Korea by setting up spring training camps in Australia, but Geelong Korea’s decision to pull out of the season forced them to revise their plans.
“This year, we were planning to send about 50 players from seven or eight clubs, including players from the Commercial Baseball Team, but it was unfortunate that it didn’t work out,” said a representative from the Geelong Korea Secretariat. “Even though we were unable to send Geelong Korea this year, we will continue to work hard in various ways to develop and grow KBO prospects.”카지노
Although the Geelong Korea program was canceled, we will continue to work with the Australian side. “The KBO and Geelong Korea have been major supporters of the ABL,” said Williams. The ABL will continue to work with the KBO to showcase talented players.”