“I got a really difficult ball. I can’t believe the pitcher made a sliding (diving) catch like this…” When the
infield fly floats high on the mound, it is common for the pitcher to move away. The infielders spot the falling ball spot and catch the ball.안전놀이터
A pitcher’s defensive training is, of course, far less than that of an infielder. There are mistakes as well as concerns about injuries. It is to prevent a pitcher who is not familiar with handling a fly ball from misstepping while trying to handle a ball on a mound with a curved floor.
There are many factors that can shake a pitcher’s physical condition, from mild pain in any area to minor abnormalities in his nails or fingers. This is why pitchers are called ‘sensitive animals’.
Therefore, the pitcher’s diving catch is a rare scene. This is especially true if it is not a ball that passes near the mound, but a ball to the infield.
Doosan Bears Kwak Bin did that difficult job. He was full of only the desire to make up for the sluggishness in the second half.
The match between Doosan and NC Dinos at Jamsil Stadium on the 20th. In the top of the 3rd inning, Kwak Bin hit a home run from lead hitter Ahn Joong-yeol. He then gave up a hit to Ah-seop Son.
It’s just that my mind goes blank for a while. Even if he is a national right-hander and a native ace of his team, it is not easy to maintain his composure.
NC’s next hitter, Park Min-woo, bunt. The batted ball slightly rose toward the first base line. It was a bunt floating ball with height and speed that was difficult to catch.
Kwakbin was different. He sprinted as it was and threw his whole body toward the falling ball. He showed no hesitation. The ball was sucked into the glove.
Commentator Lee Dae-hyung, who played diving catches as if eating a meal during his active career, was also impressed. Commissioner Lee said, “There was a super save. I was surprised that the pitcher did this kind of diving.” he stuck out his tongue.
Kwak Bin recorded 8 wins and 2 losses and an average ERA of 2.08 in 65 innings in 12 games in the first half. His only allowed one home run. Doosan coach Lee Seung-yeop praised him as “a pitcher second only to Ahn Woo-jin in terms of fastball.” It seemed that a native ace who overwhelms the league was also born.
However, in the second half, it is only 1 win and 4 losses in 5 games, and an average ERA of 4.97. Quality starts (less than 3 earned runs in 6 or more starting innings) are also only two times. He is also allowing 4 home runs.
On this day, after 3⅔ innings, 7 hits (2 home runs) and 4 runs, he was replaced in the middle of the 4th inning. The team lost 5-12, recording their 6th loss of the season. Did that kind of frustration appear in the play?
Kwak Bin is also a pitcher who should play a key role in the Hangzhou Asian Games baseball team led by coach Ryu Joong-il. In 2023, he also boarded the WBC (World Baseball Classic) national team and gathered a lot of expectations, but he failed to demonstrate his capabilities against Japan (⅔ innings, 1 run) and Czech Republic (1⅓ innings, 2 runs). Will he be able to show a different side of himself in the Asian Games?