The 8th Uiryeong-gun Mayor's National Middle School Baseball Tournament Kicks Off

Uiryeong Eco-Friendly Baseball Stadium Gains Attention as Winter Training Site

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Wook] The ‘Uiryeong Eco-friendly Baseball Stadium’ is gaining attention as a winter training site, thanks to the ‘three perfect conditions’ of warm temperatures in Uiryeong-gun, Gyeongnam, its central location in Gyeongnam with excellent transportation, and the availability of three large baseball fields.

Uiryeong-gun maintains an average temperature above freezing even in winter, reducing the risk of injury for players. The eco-friendly baseball stadium is located just 10 minutes from the highway interchange, and it is rare for a county-level local government to have three natural grass baseball fields, making it an ideal location for winter training camps.

Players participating in the Gyeongnam Uiryeong County Mayor's National Middle School Baseball Tournament are taking a commemorative photo. [Image source=Uiryeong County Office]

On the 3rd, 16 middle school baseball teams from across the country, including Seoul, Ansan, Sejong, and Busan, gathered at the Uiryeong Eco-friendly Baseball Stadium to hold the opening ceremony of the 8th Uiryeong County Mayor’s National Middle School Baseball Tournament and began an eight-day fierce competition.

On that day, large buses overflowed at the Uiryeong Eco-friendly Baseball Stadium. Not only team buses from all over the country but also parents chartered buses to visit Uiryeong to cheer for their children. Over 800 people gathered just for the opening ceremony.

The ‘Uiryeong County Mayor’s National Middle School Baseball Tournament’ is well known as the best choice for players preparing for major national tournaments scheduled for March, serving as their final practical stage.

Coaches, players, and umpires participating in this tournament unanimously expressed that the surrounding natural environment of the Uiryeong Eco-friendly Stadium is optimal for playing baseball games.

Kim Sang-wook, coach of Gyeongnam Middle School, said, “The Uiryeong County Mayor’s Baseball Tournament is great for sharpening practical skills. First of all, the temperature helps the players. The hard work done in Uiryeong forms the foundation for good results in national tournaments. The history of producing professional players begins in Uiryeong.”

Kim Chan-min, a player from Metis BC in Chungnam, said, “It feels great to breathe air that you can’t experience playing baseball in the city.”

Umpire Heo Sung-young said, “The Uiryeong Eco-friendly Baseball Stadium has a great advantage in that it is not affected by sea or river winds. The scale of the three baseball fields is above average, and if a few aspects are improved, it would be possible to host well-known national tournaments.”

County Governor Oh Tae-wan said, “We will strengthen support so that athletes can train in the best condition in a good environment. We will prepare more meticulously to establish Uiryeong’s reputation as the optimal winter training site.”

This tournament will be held until the 10th with 16 teams and about 600 players from across the country participating in a group pool league format. The winning team will receive a prize of 2 million won, and the runner-up team will receive 1.5 million won.