First independent baseball team founded

Korea’s first independent baseball team, the Goyang Wonders, was officially founded yesterday, hoping to expand the foundation of the sport and provide more opportunities for players.

The Wonders, which will be the first professional team that isn’t affiliated with the Korea Baseball Organization, held an inauguration ceremony yesterday in Ilsan, Gyeonggi, with its 43 players and coaching staff. KBO commissioner Koo Bon-neung and Goyang Mayor Choi Sung were also in attendance.

The Wonders, co-managed by Goyang City Government in Gyeonggi and Korean IT company Wonder Holdings, signed a memorandum of understanding with the KBO in September in hopes of developing the sport. The team is invited to join the Futures’ League, the minor league of the KBO, next season.

“Korean professional baseball is looking to mark seven million fans in a season, but there are not enough stages for passionate and talented players to spread their dreams,” said Hur Min, the owner of the club. “I want to give them a chance to get back, while presenting fans a touching story of success.”

The team appointed former Incheon SK Wyverns manager Kim Sung-keun as their new manger last week.

[kjoo@joongang.co.kr]