Baseball is one of the most popular sports in South Korea, attracting millions of fans every year. Among the many baseball stadiums in the country, Jamsil Baseball Stadium stands out as the oldest, largest, and most historic venue. It is the home of two professional baseball teams, the LG Twins and the Doosan Bears, and has hosted numerous international events, such as the 1988 Summer Olympics and the 2009 World Baseball Classic. In this article, we will explore the significance, history, and other noteworthy events of Jamsil Baseball Stadium, as well as introduce some other famous baseball stadiums in South Korea.
Significance of Jamsil Baseball Stadium
Jamsil Baseball Stadium is significant for several reasons. First, it is the first baseball stadium in Korea, built in 1982 as part of the Seoul Sports Complex, which also includes the Seoul Olympic Stadium, the Jamsil Gymnasium, and the Jamsil Swimming Pool. The stadium has a capacity of 25,000 people and a natural grass surface. It is located in Songpa-gu, Seoul, near the Hangang River and the Lotte World amusement park. The stadium is easily accessible by subway lines 2 and 9, as well as by bus.
Second, Jamsil Baseball Stadium is the home of two of the most successful and popular teams in the KBO League, the LG Twins and the Doosan Bears. The LG Twins were founded in 1982 as the MBC Chungyong, and changed their name to the LG Twins in 1990 after being acquired by LG Electronics. The Doosan Bears were founded in 1982 as the OB Bears, and changed their name to the Doosan Bears in 1999 after being acquired by Doosan Group. The two teams share the stadium, but have different fan bases and colors. The LG Twins wear red and blue, while the Doosan Bears wear blue and white. The rivalry between the two teams is intense, and their games are often sold out and filled with passionate cheers and chants.
Third, Jamsil Baseball Stadium is the site of many memorable moments in Korean baseball history. It was the venue for the baseball events during the 1988 Summer Olympics, where Korea won the silver medal, losing to the United States in the final. It was also the venue for the final game of the 2009 World Baseball Classic, where Korea lost to Japan in a close match, 5-3. The stadium has also witnessed many individual achievements, such as the 300th home run of Lee Seung-yuop, the all-time home run leader in Korean baseball, in 2012, and the 2,000th hit of Yang Joon-hyuk, the all-time hit leader in Korean baseball, in 2007.
History of Jamsil Baseball Stadium
Jamsil Baseball Stadium was built from April 1980 to July 1982, as part of the Seoul Sports Complex, which was designed to host the 1986 Asian Games and the 1988 Summer Olympics. The stadium cost 12.6 billion won to construct, and was designed by architect Kim In-ho. The stadium was officially opened on July 15, 1982, with a game between the MBC Chungyong and the Haitai Tigers. The first home run in the stadium was hit by Park Chul-soon of the MBC Chungyong.
The stadium underwent several renovations over the years, to improve its facilities and conditions. In 2007, the grass on the field was replaced, drains were installed, and sprinklers were upgraded to prevent heavy rain damage. In 2009, a viewing party was held at the stadium for the final game of the 2009 World Baseball Classic, attracting over 20,000 fans. In 2012, the soil of the ground was changed for easier maintenance and prevention of injuries. The seats, except for the third floor, were also replaced, and a new locker room for the away team was built. In 2020, the outfield seats were also renovated, and folding chairs were installed for more comfort.
Other Noteworthy Events at Jamsil Baseball Stadium
Besides the regular season games of the LG Twins and the Doosan Bears, Jamsil Baseball Stadium has also hosted other noteworthy events, such as:
- The KBO All-Star Game, which is an annual exhibition game between the best players of the KBO League, selected by fan voting and coaches’ recommendations. The game has been held at Jamsil Baseball Stadium 11 times, in 1982, 1984, 1986, 1988, 1990, 1992, 1994, 1996, 1998, 2000, and 2002.
- The Korean Series, which is the championship series of the KBO League, between the winners of the regular season and the playoffs. The series has been held at Jamsil Baseball Stadium 19 times, in 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2005, 2008, 2015, and 2016. The LG Twins have won the series four times, in 1983, 1990, 1994, and 1995, while the Doosan Bears have won the series six times, in 1982, 1995, 2001, 2015, 2016, and 2019.
- The Asia Series, which was an annual intercontinental club competition between the champions of the professional baseball leagues in Asia, such as Japan, Korea, Taiwan, China, and Australia. The series was held at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in 2012, where the Samsung Lions of Korea defeated the Yomiuri Giants of Japan, 5-3, in the final.
Other Famous Baseball Stadiums in South Korea
Jamsil Baseball Stadium is not the only famous baseball stadium in South Korea. There are seven other stadiums that host the KBO League games, each with their own characteristics and attractions. They are:
- Busan Sajik Baseball Stadium, which is the home of the Lotte Giants, one of the most popular teams in Korea. The stadium is located in Sajik-dong, Busan, and has a capacity of 24,500 people. It is known as a mecca for Korean baseball, and has a loyal fan base that creates a festive atmosphere with songs, dances, and cheers. The stadium was built in 1985, and has hosted the KBO All-Star Game four times, in 1987, 1989, 1997, and 2009.
- Daegu Samsung Lions Park, which is the home of the Samsung Lions, one of the most successful teams in Korea. The stadium is located in Daegu, and has a capacity of 24,000 people. It is one of the newest stadiums in Korea, opened in 2016, and features a modern design and facilities. The stadium has a retractable roof, a large video board, and a grass hill for spectators. The stadium has hosted the KBO All-Star Game once, in 2017.
- Incheon SSG Landers Field, which is the home of the SSG Landers, one of the newest teams in Korea. The stadium is located in Incheon, and has a capacity of 23,000 people. It is one of the largest stadiums in Korea, and has a unique shape and structure. The stadium was opened in 2002, and has hosted the KBO All-Star Game twice, in 2003 and 2013. The stadium has also hosted the 2002 Intercontinental Cup, the 2006 World Baseball Classic, and the 2014 Asian Games.
- Changwon NC Park, which is the home of the NC Dinos, one of the youngest teams in Korea. The stadium is located in Changwon, and has a capacity of 22,112 people. It is the newest stadium in Korea, opened in 2019, and features a futuristic design and facilities. The stadium has a dome-shaped roof, a large video board, and a kids zone for families. The stadium has not hosted any major events yet, but is expected to host the KBO All-Star Game in the future.
- Gwangju-Kia Champions Field, which is the home of the Kia Tigers, one of the oldest and most successful teams in Korea. The stadium is located in Gwangju, and has a capacity of 20,500 people. It is one of the most beautiful stadiums in Korea, and has a natural grass surface and a scenic view of the surrounding mountains. The stadium was opened in 2014, and has hosted the KBO All-Star Game once, in 2015. The stadium has also hosted the 2015 Premier 12, and the 2017 World Baseball Classic.
- Suwon kt wiz Park, which is the home of the kt wiz, one of the youngest teams in Korea. The stadium is located in Suwon, and has a capacity of 20,000 people. It is one of the oldest stadiums in Korea, opened in 1989, but has been renovated and modernized several times. The stadium has a natural grass surface, a large video board, and a fan zone for interactive activities. The stadium has hosted the KBO All-Star Game twice, in 1991 and 2019.
- Gocheok Sky Dome, which is the home of the Kiwoom Heroes, one of the newest teams in Korea. The stadium is located in Gocheok-dong, Seoul, and has a capacity of 16,813 people. It is the only domed stadium in Korea, and features a retractable roof, a large video board, and a grass surface. The stadium was opened in 2015, and has hosted the KBO All-Star Game once, in 2018. The stadium has also hosted the 2015 Premier 12, and the 2018 World Baseball Softball Confederation Women’s Baseball World Cup.
These are some of the other famous baseball stadiums in South Korea, each with their own charm and history. If you are a fan of baseball, or want to experience the Korean baseball culture, you should visit these stadiums and enjoy the games.
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