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Korean Job Discussion Forums "The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Teachers from Around the World!"
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Illysook
Joined: 30 Jun 2008
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Posted: Tue May 19, 2009 5:33 pm Post subject: If they don't have little league... |
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How do they raise up professional baseball players? Do they import them all? What about Pee-Wee Soccer? Koreans seem to enjoy these so much, but I don't quite get it, as most westerners learn to appreciate sports by participating in them, and/or cheering on their friends as they participate. They don't seem to do that here. |
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CentralCali
Joined: 17 May 2007
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Posted: Tue May 19, 2009 6:57 pm Post subject: |
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Korea does have Little League. Check out this story. |
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ajgeddes

Joined: 28 Apr 2004 Location: Yongsan
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Posted: Tue May 19, 2009 11:20 pm Post subject: Re: If they don't have little league... |
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Illysook wrote: |
How do they raise up professional baseball players? Do they import them all? What about Pee-Wee Soccer? Koreans seem to enjoy these so much, but I don't quite get it, as most westerners learn to appreciate sports by participating in them, and/or cheering on their friends as they participate. They don't seem to do that here. |
They have school teams. My old elementary school was the national champion. They practiced 6 hours a day, six days a week, all year long. They started in grade 1 or 2, and then by the time they were in grade 5, they might actually get to play in a game. Oh yeah, these kids were for the most part, complete idiots. Some couldn't even hold a pencil properly. But that was okay, "because they were on the baseball team". For the most part though, they were good kids and fun to have in class.
Other schools do the same thing for soccer. |
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DrOctagon

Joined: 11 Jun 2008 Location: Chicago
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Posted: Tue May 19, 2009 11:31 pm Post subject: |
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Both of my high schools have no baseball teams or baseball field. But sometimes there are a few kids who throw the baseball around and take a few cracks with a nice aluminum bat. Lately I've been playing with them and helping them out with their technique. They all call me "major leaguer." Pretty funny 'cuz I'm not that great. I wish there was a nice field these kids can practice on... |
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JMO

Joined: 18 Jul 2006 Location: Daegu
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Posted: Wed May 20, 2009 2:50 am Post subject: Re: If they don't have little league... |
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ajgeddes wrote: |
Illysook wrote: |
How do they raise up professional baseball players? Do they import them all? What about Pee-Wee Soccer? Koreans seem to enjoy these so much, but I don't quite get it, as most westerners learn to appreciate sports by participating in them, and/or cheering on their friends as they participate. They don't seem to do that here. |
They have school teams. My old elementary school was the national champion. They practiced 6 hours a day, six days a week, all year long. They started in grade 1 or 2, and then by the time they were in grade 5, they might actually get to play in a game. Oh yeah, these kids were for the most part, complete idiots. Some couldn't even hold a pencil properly. But that was okay, "because they were on the baseball team". For the most part though, they were good kids and fun to have in class.
Other schools do the same thing for soccer. |
The Republic of Ireland has a population of roughly 4 and a half million. Soccer has to compete with Gaelic Football and in certain parts of the country Rugby and Hurling. Gaelic football as far as I remember has more regular players than soccer in Ireland.
The Republic of Korea has a population of 48.4 million. Soccer and baseball are the two main team ball sports. I suppose martial arts are another source of competition.
If I was being generous, I would say Ireland and Korea produce a similar amount of top flight soccer talent. The reasons for this are all around me.
Yea, some schools have intensive soccer programs. However...
1 I never see kids playing soccer. On the street at home, I see kids playing soccer. Against walls, using jumpers for goalposts etc..random kids playing keepy up on the street..or playing 'curbs'.
2 There seems to be a lack of local clubs. I come from a 'city' of 100,000 people. There are a massive amount of local clubs who all have underage teams. I don't really see that here to the same extent.
I think culturally Korea is not really interested in producing great athletes. This of course is a good thing.
I personally don't like the effectiveness of the whole hagwon culture, but i like the idea. Kids should spend a lot of time studying and if sport has to come second so be it. |
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