Will Shirakawa be a full-time employee, but Asian foreigners are flocking. What is the issue of introducing AQ?
Jul 09, 2024
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Discussions began at the KBO Executive Committee last month, and it has also finished listening to opinions on detailed implementation plans for foreign scouts. If the discussion is concluded in more detail this month, foreign players in the Asian quarter can enter the KBO League from the 2025 season. There is still more discussion, and the final conclusion will be reached after sufficient discussion on practical issues, but anyway, public opinion on the introduction of the Asian quarter is generally positive.
In the field, the need for an Asian quarter system had been constantly mentioned.
The closest case recently is Shirakawa Keisho. Shirakawa, a former member of the Japanese independent league club, stepped on the KBO League as an injury replacement foreign player that took effect this year. He is the first Japanese foreign player in 13 years since Ken Kadokura, who played for the SK Wyverns (current SSG) from 2009 to 2010 and the Samsung Lions in 2011.
In the meantime, players of any nationality can be selected within the foreign player holding limit (3 players, maximum 2 pitchers/takers), so Japanese players could also be selected, but there have been no cases so far. Most of the players were Americans or from the Americas, including Canada and Latin America, where they had accumulated experience in the United States. There were also rare cases such as Wang Wei-jung, the first foreigner from Taiwan, but because the standard of selection was 'American Experience', the opportunity to choose Asian players was relatively rare.
However, Shirakawa started a fresh rebellion. Players from Japan's independent league without professional experience also instilled confidence that they could work in the KBO league to some extent. This led to another curiosity. If players playing in Japan or Taiwan are selected one by one through the Asian quarter system, it is expected that it will be able to solve the difficulties of players in professional baseball and provide fresh attractions to fans who have exploded. SSG coach Lee Soo-yong, who was with Shirakawa for six weeks, also said, `I personally hope the Asian quarter system will be introduced.'
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Shirakawa, who has completed his adaptation in the KBO, can also step on the Korean soil again as a likely Asian foreigner next season.
The main targets are Japanese professional baseball, independent league, business baseball (social baseball), and Taiwanese professional baseball. The key is whether to recognize Australia as the region in the Asian quarter. It is also a decision to select players from dual or multiple nationalities or immigrants within what guidelines.
Recognizing Australia gives clubs more options. Recently, the level of professional baseball in Australia has increased considerably, and top-level players are even challenging the Major League (MLB). Last year, the Korean baseball team suffered a crushing defeat by the Australian team in the World Baseball Classic (WBC), and Australia reached the quarterfinals, so the physical conditions and skills of the S-A players are outstanding.
However, there is a prediction that if that happens, the clubs will eventually draw attention to Australia, not Asia, and will only actually select foreign players at the level of the U.S. minor league. Conversely, if Australia is limited, the options will be narrowed, but Japanese players are likely to pour in relatively.
The issue of nationality also requires a clear baseline. How far dual-national players will be recognized or whether to impose restrictions on players who are from Asian countries but have played in the U.S. Major League and Minor League is expected to be an issue related to the Asian quarter system in the future.
The Korea Professional Baseball Players Association (hereinafter referred to as the Korea Professional Baseball Players Association) has not yet made an official position on the implementation of the Asian quarter system. However, KBO is also continuing discussions with the Players Association.
Players are also not in an atmosphere against the Asian quarter system itself in a big frame, but the majority opinion is that restrictions such as nationality and nationality should be placed. In addition, from the standpoint of existing domestic players, there are voices that if one more foreign player is added, one more player should be added from the current 28 entry in the first team.
youll@sportschosun.com
