It's twice as hard, but twice as fun." Kang Baek-ho laughs, "You have to smile during the season."

It's twice as hard, but twice as fun." Kang Baek-ho laughs, "You have to smile during the season."

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Kang Baek-ho (26, KT Wiz) looked happy when we met at Geelong Baseball Center in Australia on the 8th. Kang Baek-ho is the one who shouts "Nice ball!" to make the bullpen training site leave, and the one who inspires the cheering sound of "Aja-jat!" throughout the ground. "This spring camp is fun for me.먹튀검증

Kang is currently playing in the Australian camp as a catcher. He is sweating profusely in cooperation with catcher's teams including Jang Sung-woo (35), Kang Hyun-woo (24), Cho Dae-hyun (26), and Kim Min-seok (20). Kang is giving feedback on catcher's defense and batting training as well as pitching in the bullpen.

It is Kang's first time to participate in the spring camp as a catcher since his debut in 2018. However, his mask does not look awkward. Kang used to be a pitcher and catcher when he was at Seoul High School. In the pro league, he moved between an outfielder and a first baseman, but he put on catcher's meats again last year. Having failed to secure a certain defensive position, he challenged himself to become a catcher at KT's recommendation. He showed better-than-expected performance by banking on his strong shoulders and stable defense.
The decision will be a "win-win" for both the team and the players. Once Kang is deployed as catcher, he will widely utilize the lineup. As he has more leeway to give Jang, his main home ground maestro, a chance to rest, it will also help players arrange their physical stamina. Kang, who will become a free agent after the 2025 season, also needs to have a solid defense position in order to make a big hit in the free agency.

He has also improved his skills. "He didn't look ready because he suddenly played catcher last year, but he certainly changed this year (when he prepared for this season). I have high expectations," KT's battery coach Jang said with a big smile. "I think switching to a catcher will be a good motivation for Kang who is about to become a free agent. He will definitely show good performance as he is full of skills and ambition."

Kang's expression brightened up, too. He is also working hard to lighten up the mood for his training. Fellow catcher Cho Dae-hyun said, "The training for the catcher's team has become more fun thanks to Kang. It gives me lots of energy and the atmosphere is really good." When giving feedback to pitchers, they are more serious than anyone else. "Baekho gives feedback comfortably, and I can clearly feel his meticulousness," pitcher Park Young-hyun said.

"I think this is the most fun camp I've ever had. It's amazing. It's fun to be a catcher for the first time in this camp," Kang said with a big smile. "Overall, we have a lot of training. It's true that I have to do batting training, catcher's defense, and bullpen pitching. However, it's also twice as fun."

Last year, Kang said, "I learn a lot by playing catcher. Talking to pitchers a lot, watching pitches and broadening my horizons can also help me hit." "I try to make the pitch as comfortable as possible. I am also telling the pitcher how I feel when I see the pitch from the batter's point of view. I am studying after observing a lot."

"It's my first time talking about defense, not hitting during the camp," Kang said with a smile. "I smile a lot during the camp with a positive mindset, but I have to smile a lot even during the season. I will work harder with a learning attitude."