SEOUL (SOUTH KOREA) – South Korean baseball fans thronged stadiums on Sunday for the first time this year.
South Korea’s baseball league kickstarted in May after a five-week delay. However, it had no spectators due to the novel coronavirus.
The government decided on Friday that some fans would have to go back, with 10% of seats available at Korean Baseball Organization (KBO) games from Sunday.
All fans must wear masks, have their temperatures checked, provide contact details, and maintain social distance in the stands.
No food or alcohol is allowed.
Kim Hak-chul, 62, a fan of LG Twins, who played the Doosan Bears in Seoul on Sunday, said, “I’ve been coming to the games since 1980 and I’ve never been this thrilled to be back.”
“It’s sad that we can’t enjoy beer and fried chicken but that’s understandable and we just hope they’ll wrap up the season safely.”
Kim Song-a, a 27-year-old Bears fan, said she had entered a competition to win one of the 2,424 seats up for grabs.
“When I got it, I thought I must’ve used up all my luck for year,” she said.
The tickets sold out in 25 minutes, a Bears official said.
The club, however, did not bring its cheerleaders.
Bears outfielder Jung Soo-bin said the return of the spectators – despite these coronavirus conditions – would boost the spirits of the teams.
He said, “Fans are our source of strength and hopefully there will be more.”
(Photos syndicated via Reuters)
This story has been edited by BH staff and is published from a syndicated field.