Baseball is back ... in South Korea, at least
As Major league Baseball firms up plans to resume spring training next month and open an abbreviated season in late June or early July, the game is going on in South Korea.
ESPN on Monday announced it will televise live Korea Baseball Organization games six days a week.
The KBO season opener is midnight Tuesday, pitting the NC Dinos vs. the Samsung Lions.
Games will also be televised Wednesday-Friday (3:30 a.m. Chicago time), Saturday (2 a.m.) and Sunday (11 p.m.).
The agreement includes the playoffs and the Korea Series best-of-seven championship. The entire schedule is subject to change pending the status of other leagues whose schedules have been disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic.
While the KBO's level of play is comparable to Class AAA minor-league baseball in the United States, fans longing to watch the game and able to stay awake in the middle of the night at least have an option.
There are several former major league players now competing in South Korea, including Drew Rucinski.
The right-handed pitcher played for the Angels, Twins and Marlins before joining the NC Dinos last season and going 9-9 with a 3.05 ERA in 30 starts.
In an interview with Baseball America, Rucinski was asked if he feels safe playing baseball in South Korea.
"Absolutely," he said. "We've been taking the precautions over here very seriously. I know it's been a little different over there (U.S.), but hopefully you all see what it takes and see what you need to do to get the ball rolling a little bit."
Widespread testing and strict stay-in-place orders allowed South Korea to approve lifting lockdown measures and resume baseball and soccer.
Both sports will begin play with no fans in the stands.
KBO players won't wear masks on the field, but shaking hands and high-fiving teammates are prohibited.
Believe it or not, spitting might be the toughest new regulation to prevent.
"If you get caught spitting out of the dugout on to the field, you have a chance of getting fined," Rucinski said. "All of the translators and the medical staff and everything, they have to be in masks and gloves the whole time. The only people that don't have to wear masks and gloves are the players."
In addition to Rucinski, there are two former major leaguers that played for the White Sox now in the KBO.
Infielder Tyler Saladino was with the Sox from 2015-18 before moving to the Brewers the last two years. Odrisamer Despaigne made 3 forgettable starts for the White Sox in 2019, going 0-2 with a 9.45 ERA.
Dan Straily pitched in 7 games (1 start) for the Cubs in 2014 and was 0-1 with an 11.85 ERA.
Eric Jokisch also pitched for the Cubs in 2014 and allowed 3 earned runs in 14⅓ innings (1.88 ERA).