Choo Shin-soo's Bold Moves in 'Baseball Queen' Lead to Thrilling Match Against All-In

Choo Shin-soo, the renowned 'Baseball Queen,' showcased a daring player substitution strategy in a match against the formidable All-In team from the Yeongnam region.

The 10th episode of Channel A's 'Baseball Queen,' aired on the 27th, featured the Black Queens, Korea's 50th women's baseball team, comprising Kim Min-ji, Kim Bo-reum, Kim Seong-yeon, Kim On-a, Park Bo-ram, Park Ha-yan, Song-a, Shin So-jung, Shin Su-ji, Ayaka, Lee Soo-yeon, Jang Soo-young, Jung Yoo-in, Joo Soo-jin, and Choi Hyun-mi. They faced off against All-In, a team that has consistently won or been runners-up in the Yeongnam Women's Baseball League for three consecutive years, in their sixth match.

The sixth match proceeded without the first-choice catcher, Shin So-jung. Coach Choo Shin-soo appointed Jung Yoo-in as the starting catcher and Ayaka as the backup, putting them through intensive training. Despite shedding tears under the weight of responsibility, Jung Yoo-in quickly improved. On game day, Coach Choo deployed the 'Ayaka-Jung Yoo-in battery' to counter All-In, a team with a batting average of 0.429. He also positioned Kim On-a, who hit consecutive home runs in the fifth match, as the fourth batter and Lee Soo-yeon as the left fielder, motivating the team with, "Let's go for two wins today!"

The game began with All-In's offense in the top of the first inning. Ayaka and Jung Yoo-in displayed stable battery coordination, but Joo Soo-jin's consecutive defensive errors and Jung Yoo-in's throwing mistake due to inexperience allowed two runs. Fortunately, Ayaka and Park Ha-yan managed a ground ball to first base, ending the inning with three outs. In the bottom of the first, Joo Soo-jin reached base on a hit-by-pitch, and Song-a hit a home run on the first pitch, tying the game at 2-2. Song-a's incredible performance earned applause from Director Park Se-ri, who remarked, "She wanted the MVP so badly, and she delivered," while the commentators praised her as "an amazing player." Kim On-a followed with a long hit, showcasing her prowess as a .600 hitter, but Lee Soo-yeon and Kim Seong-yeon struck out consecutively, failing to add more runs.

In the top of the second inning, Ayaka delivered two consecutive strikes and handled a ball hit towards her, securing an out. The inning concluded with a three-up-three-down, thanks to a strikeout and Kim On-a's excellent defense. In the bottom of the second, the Black Queens also went hitless. However, the fast-paced game drew praise from caster Lee Kwang-yong and commentator Park Jae-hong, who said, "Both teams are playing truly entertaining baseball," and "This is what baseball is all about."

In the top of the third inning, Ayaka faced the top of the lineup again. Leadoff hitter and stolen base leader Park Myung-sook reached base with a hit, but Park Ha-yan caught the next batter's foul ball with a diving catch, securing one out. Ayaka's pitch then slipped past the catcher, allowing Park Myung-sook to advance to third base. A sacrifice hit by starting pitcher and third batter Lee Hye-young added a run for All-In. Nevertheless, Ayaka remained composed, focusing on her pitches and striking out the fourth batter to escape the jam.

In the bottom of the third, Joo Soo-jin reached base again with a hit-by-pitch and successfully stole a base. Song-a hit another double, allowing Joo Soo-jin to score, tying the game at 3-3. The atmosphere heated up, but Kim On-a struck out, and Lee Soo-yeon's ground ball ended the inning.

Determined not to concede any more runs, Coach Choo sent ace Jang Soo-young to the mound in the top of the fourth inning. Ayaka switched to catcher, showcasing her versatility. Jang Soo-young, along with first baseman Park Ha-yan and second baseman Joo Soo-jin, executed perfect infield plays, completing a three-up-three-down inning. In the bottom of the fourth, Kim Seong-yeon reached base with a left-field hit and successfully stole second, energizing the crowd. However, veteran pitcher Lee Hye-young disrupted the momentum with three consecutive pickoff attempts on Kim Seong-yeon. Ultimately, Park Ha-yan fell victim to the pitcher's strategy, striking out, and Kim Min-ji also struck out on three pitches, leaving the Black Queens scoreless for the inning.

Jung Se-yoon, Ten Asia Reporter yoon@tenasia.co.kr