Choi Ji-hoon, Who Played With 3 Hits
The baseball team, led by coach Ryu Joong-il, won 10-3 in its first practice game against Sangmu (Armed Forces Athletic Corps) held at Daegu Samsung Lions Park on the 8th. Although there were some players who were not yet in good condition, most players successfully completed the actual test despite the chilly weather.
Choi Ji-hoon, who served as the national team’s table setter with Kim Hye-seong (Kiwoom Heroes), recorded 3 hits (1 home run) and 2 RBI in 5 at-bats, producing the most hits in the team along with Noh Si-hwan (Hanwha Eagles). 먹튀검증
Choi Ji-hoon turned the bat fiercely from his first at-bat. He appeared with one out in the bottom of the first inning, hit the first pitch fastball from opposing starting pitcher Kwak Bin (Doosan Bears), and drew a solo arch that went over the right wall. He produced good results by targeting fastballs from the first pitch.
This wasn’t the end. Choi Ji-hoon appeared as the leadoff hitter in his second at-bat, scoring a hit and a run, and contributed to the national team’s big inning by hitting a timely hit with 1 RBI in his fifth at-bat.
After the game, Choi Ji-hoon said, “It was a little difficult. Standing for a long time made my body harden quickly, and when I went out to the outfield to play defense, my back hurt. I think it was because the weather was cold. Fortunately, I was able to rest on the 9th when I was getting tired. He expressed satisfaction, saying, “It’s good to see that some of the things I was thinking about for the 2024 season came out (in the game). I can’t tell you in detail yet, but it’s encouraging that what I’m thinking about personally has led to good results.”
What was the home run situation like? Choi Ji-hoon reflected, “Because (Kwak) Bin is a pitcher who throws fast balls, he went to bat focusing on fastballs, and I think the fact that he hit aggressively from the first pitch led to the home run.”
Choi Ji-hoon hit a home run and added two hits to complete the three-hit game. He looked back and said, “In the first game, I went in with a sense of ease as a home run hit from the first at-bat. I think the result was good because of that.”
In addition to Choi Ji-hoon, other batters showed their concentration by scoring 7 runs in the bottom of the 7th inning alone. However, Choi Ji-hoon said, “I think it will be different before and after the batting order rotates. Basically, the pitchers (that we will meet in the tournament) throw balls exceeding 150 km/h, so if the flow goes smoothly like this, we will be able to secure the game, but how much of an opportunity do we have?” “I think the most important thing will be whether we can make good use of it,” he said, not attaching much importance to scoring a large number of goals in the first game.
Choi Ji-hoon hit hard at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games held last month with 11 hits in 21 at-bats, a batting average of 0.524, 1 home run, 5 RBIs, and an OPS of 1.209, and was one of the players who greatly contributed to the national team’s 4th consecutive victory in the tournament. This time, expectations are high for Choi Ji-hoon both inside and outside the team.
Choi Ji-hoon said, “I didn’t think I did well in the Asian Games, and I didn’t receive much attention. I think it would be good to receive a lot of attention by playing in this tournament.” He added, “Irrespective of the batting order or game, all players feel pressure in international competitions. Therefore, I don’t feel any pressure about being assigned as a table setter. Also, (Kim) Hye-seong will do well in the front. If Hye-seong survives and I do well in the back, I think there will be good results,” he said.
After completing the first practice match, the national team rests on the 9th and trains on the 10th before playing the second practice match against Sangmu on the 11th. Since the NC players who did not play on the 8th will also play in the game on the 11th, it is safe to say that the lineup that the national team will show in the second practice game is in fact the ‘best lineup’.
Choi Ji-hoon said, “The national team has the best lineup no matter which player is on the team, so I thought it was the best lineup in today’s game (the 8th),” and “I think it will be important as it is the last practice match before the tournament, and the young players will work harder together to achieve a good result.” “I think I should bring it,” he said, strengthening his resolve.