KBO Legends Unite for New Youth Baseball Reality Show 'Our Neighborhood Baseball Captain'

Former baseball star Lee Dae-ho, known for his cumulative salary of 42.9 billion won, recently spoke about his son.

KBS 2TV's new sports reality show 'Our Neighborhood Baseball Captain' (planned by Kim Sang-mi, directed by Lee Jung-wook) is set to premiere on April 12. The show has already heightened anticipation by launching an official YouTube channel and releasing teaser videos featuring directors Park Yong-taek, Lee Dae-ho, Kim Tae-kyun, and Na Ji-wan.

On the 20th, a second teaser was unveiled, showcasing thrilling matches of U-10 youth players and the first pre-meeting of the four directors. The teaser begins with childhood footage of Lee Jung-hoo and Won Tae-in, hinting at the rise of new superstars. It then highlights 48 young heroes, signaling the start of a grand legend.

The directors, KBO legends Kim Tae-kyun, Na Ji-wan, Park Yong-taek, and Lee Dae-ho, brought both humor and tension with their competitive spirit during the pre-meeting. Each will select youth players from their respective regions to form teams and compete in actual league matches. As they gathered before the competition, the directors expressed confidence, saying, "We will win no matter what," and "The energy feels good."

What Kind of Baseball Will the KBO Legend Directors Showcase?

The diverse leadership styles of the four directors are particularly captivating. Park Yong-taek promotes 'autonomous baseball' with a gentle smile, encouraging players to "do whatever you want without worry." In contrast, Na Ji-wan reveals his strict 'tiger coach' persona, stating, "It's okay to cry if you're frustrated."

The regional team compositions also spark curiosity. Kim Tae-kyun, leading the Chungcheong youth team, was labeled the weakest but showed determination, saying, "We will go with grit." Lee Dae-ho expressed confidence in Busan's baseball legacy. Notably, Lee Dae-ho's son, Lee Ye-seung, a youth player, is participating in tryouts. Lee Dae-ho emphasized, "I will select based on skill without favoritism," drawing attention to whether his son will join the team.

Who Will Triumph in the Youth League?

The league rules have been set for the opening. Each team will consist of 12 players and 2 coaches, playing 6 games per season. The top team will earn the glory of being the 'Baseball Captain,' while the last place team will face 'character deletion' and a time for reorganization. To ensure a fair league, Park Yong-taek's Seoul region has agreed to adjust its boundaries. Anticipation builds to see which team—Little Twins, Little Giants, Little Eagles, or Little Tigers—will become the inaugural 'Baseball Captain.'

'Our Neighborhood Baseball Captain' premieres on April 12 at 9:20 PM on KBS 2TV.

Reporter: Kim Se-ah, Ten Asia haesmik@tenasia.co.kr