[New Square 10] The first Korean Series Suspended Game...Who will laugh?

■ Host: Um Min Anchor
■ Video connection: Min Hoon-ki, baseball commentator

* The text below may differ from the actual broadcast content, so please check the broadcast for more accurate information. Please specify [YTN New Square 10AM] when quoting.

[Anchor]
Yesterday, the game of the first game of the Korean Series in professional baseball was temporarily suspended due to rain. As it's the first time in postseason history, attention is being paid to which team will be more favorable.Let's talk in detail with baseball commentator Min Hoon-ki. You're out, right?

[Min Hoon Gi]
Hello?

[Anchor]
How are you? Autumn rain has become the biggest variable. The first game of the Korean Series in professional baseball was suspended due to rain, but it was the first "suspended game" in postseason history, reports say. This suspended game, what is it specifically? [Min Hoon-ki] Yesterday's first game of the Korean Series in Gwangju and Kia Champions Series was suspended due to heavy rain with Samsung leading 1:0 in the top of the sixth inning. And in the end, the rain didn't stop and it rained hard, so I couldn't continue the game, so it became an unprecedented suspended game. With the game suspended yesterday, it happened to resume the game later. This suspended regulation needs to be interpreted according to the situation. Once this year passes, it can be recognized as an official game, and if both teams were given a fair chance, it would be recognized as an official game. However, in the case of yesterday, with the home team Kia taking the lead, they were not given a chance to attack in the bottom of the sixth inning, so they resumed the suspended game later to give both teams a fair chance.

[Anchor]
I've seen a lot of cases where rain is usually declared cold when the game is canceled due to heavy rain, but why was the suspended game declared yesterday?

[Min Hoon Gi]
The most important rule is that the number of attacks and defenses between the two teams must be balanced to make a legitimate match. Yesterday, Samsung took a 1-0 lead while attacking in the top of the sixth inning. However, Kia did not attack in the bottom of the sixth inning, so both teams did not have an equal chance to attack. So the balance is that Kia should at least have a chance to attack in the bottom of the sixth inning. If it was a 1-0 situation at the end of the sixth inning yesterday, it could have ended with Samsung's victory.

[Anchor]
It rained for a long time yesterday before the game started. So the game was delayed for more than an hour, so now Samsung coach Park Jin-man is in a slightly unfair position. What did you hear about this position when you complained that there was already a forecast and you should not have entered the game?

[Min Hoon Gi]
From the perspective of Samsung coach Park Jin-man, we can say that. In fact, if you look at the game before, the game started 66 minutes later than the scheduled time after a large tarpaulin was placed on the playground three times and folded repeatedly. And there was also a rain forecast, so there is no choice but to say that it is a little too much progress, but it's such a big cup, and all the fans came in, and I pushed ahead with the game because I prepared a lot in advance. In the end, it was concluded that it was the first suspended game in KBO postseason history, but it became a regrettable situation that could be disputed depending on the team.

[Anchor]
Game 2 is scheduled for tonight. Then, will the first game that we didn't finish yesterday continue as it is?

[Min Hoon Gi]
That's right. Suspended games restart as they were at the end of the previous day. In other words, the game will continue at 4 p.m. today with Samsung's no outs and runners on the first and second bases in the top of the sixth inning.

[Anchor]
But according to today's weather forecast, there is another rain forecast in Gwangju. First of all, since it rained a lot yesterday, I don't think the stadium will be in good condition, is there a possibility that the first and second games will be delayed a little more?

[Min Hoon Gi]
In fact, I was worried because there was a rain forecast today on the 22nd, when the second game will be held even before the series. However, as the rain fell faster than forecast, the first game was suspended, and if it continues to rain today, there is a possibility that it will be pushed back by a day. The forecast for rain in Gwangju continues to change now.

[Anchor]
Coach Park Jin-man said, "If it rains again today, I think it's best not to play to protect the players," and if the first and second games are held at the same time today, the physical burden on the players will be considerable. What do you think?

[Min Hoon Gi]
It's the biggest feast of professional baseball, and the sky is suffering. This may vary depending on the interpretation, but it is true that it is unfortunate for Samsung, where starter Won Tae-in was playing well in the first game yesterday. However, if it is postponed until today, it may be a little advantageous for Samsung to take a rest for Samsung pitchers and especially for Reyes, a starter in the second game, to take another day off. There can be many interpretations, but it is clear that both teams have to go through a difficult schedule anyway.

[Anchor]
If today's game goes on as it is, what are Kia's strengths?

[Min Hoon Gi]
If today's game goes on as it is, the players on both teams will have considerable physical burden. The remaining games of the first round will be played, and if they go to extra time, the game time will be longer and various difficult situations will be possible. Kia may be able to help in terms of hitting and playing today, but overall, it will be almost like playing a doubleheader today, so both teams will be physically burdened.

[Anchor]
On the contrary, what can be a strength for Samsung?

[Min Hoon Gi]
Samsung has the momentum to beat defending champion LG in the playoffs, but it is also physically difficult. So if the first and second games continue to be enforced today, Samsung could be in a more difficult situation in terms of fatigue and physical strength of the starters.

[Anchor]
When I watched the Korean Series, the team that wins the first game has a 70% chance of winning the championship. I think today's Game 1 result will be very important, but if I predict it carefully, which team will the victory lean towards?

[Min Hoon Gi]
It is important to gain the upper hand because it is a best-of-seven short-term match. In the first game, Samsung will start the suspended game from a slightly advantageous position. Winning the first game may be more important for the away team Samsung. So if we catch the first game in an advantageous situation, Samsung can go with a series that has a little more room. However, the longer the home team Kia is, the more advantageous it is in terms of physical strength and power, so it is best to catch the first game, but there is room for counterattack even if it is missed. The important thing for both teams is that considering fatigue, various playground conditions, and circumstances, Kia also made an error yesterday, but it did not lead to a loss. So, it is important for both teams to minimize errors, but how players and teams cope with inevitable errors can also be a variable, but anyway, the team that takes the first game can go to the series with a little peace of mind.

[Anchor]
This year's professional baseball fever is great. The first-ever 10 million spectators have been recorded, and ticket sales are rampant these days, so I think you'll feel more. What do you think?

[Min Hoon Gi]
It exceeded 10 million spectators for the first time since its launch, and all 12 games are sold out in the postseason. KBO is trying a lot to accurately do things like tickets, but people around me are making it really hard to get tickets, such as a war to get tickets, picking stars in the sky. It's very unfortunate that scalpers are rampant in this situation. Even in collaboration with related ministries in the KBO, it seems necessary to take special measures to eradicate scalpers altogether. This was a bad situation this year even during the regular season.

[Anchor]
Lastly, let's talk about Major League Baseball. The dream match took place in the World Series, Dodgers versus Yankees. It's been 43 years.

[Min Hoon Gi]
That's right. For Major League fans, MLB secretariat, and broadcasters, the dream match has been completed in 43 years. It's the New York Yankees, the team that represents the Major League, but in fact, the tradition is that the Dodgers have been in the top position since Brooklyn. The two teams have a considerable sense of rivalry, and the showdown between Aaron Judge of the Yankees, the home run king, and Ohtani of the Dodgers, who set a record of 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases, is also drawing great attention. And a player named Tommy Hyun-soo Edman, who also played for the Korean national team, received the postseason MVP from the Dodgers. So in many ways, it became a World Series that not only Major League Baseball fans but also Korean baseball fans are interested in. Game 1 will begin at LA Dodgers Stadium on the 26th.

[Anchor]
Let's stop here. So far, we have been with baseball commentator Min Hoon-ki. Thank you.