Korean Police Baseball Team Explained

Police
경찰
Cap Logo:KoreanPoliceCapLogo.png
League:Futures League
Location:Goyang, Gyeonggi-do
Stadium:Byeokje Baseball Stadium
Colors:Blue and white
Owner:Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency
Coach:Lee Han-jin (pitching coach)
Manager:Yoo Seung-an
H Pattern La:_whiteborder
H Pattern Ra:_whiteborder
A Pattern La:_shouldersonwhite
A Pattern Ra:_shouldersonwhite
H Cap:10298E
H Leftarm:10298E
H Body:10298E
H Rightarm:10298E
H Pants:FFFFFF
H Socks:10298E
A Cap:10298E
A Leftarm:10298E
A Body:FFFFFF
A Rightarm:10298E
A Pants:FFFFFF
A Socks:10298E

Korean Police Baseball Team (Korean: 경찰 야구단) was a South Korean amateur baseball team that existed from 2005 to 2019, and competed in the KBO Futures League from 2006 through 2019.[1] Their home stadium was Byeokje Baseball Stadium in Goyang. The team was controlled by the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, which itself is a division of the National Police Agency.

The Police were not affiliated with any single KBO League team, instead fielding a roster made of players from many of the KBO franchises. Over the Police team's history, however, it had a preponderance of players from the Doosan Bears franchise. Notable KBO League players who at one time served on the Police team included Choi Hyoung-woo, Yang Eui-ji, Min Byung-hun, Jung Soo-bin, Rhee Dae-eun, Son Seung-lak, and Won Jong-hyun.

Structure

Many professional players who were serving compulsory military service played for the Police team,[2] usually for a term of two seasons. Players were considered part of the auxiliary police, and completed their national duty as police officers after they finished recruit training.[3]

The Korea Baseball Organization provided the Police team about 1.5 billion won ($1.3 million) in operating expenses each year.

History

The Police team was the champion of the Northern League division of the Futures League in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, and 2018.

In 2017 the South Korean government announced it was abolishing the auxiliary police by the year 2023; the National Police Agency immediately stopped recruiting athletes and promised to disband its sports teams (including the Police team) by the following year. The Police team was disbanded after the 2019 Futures League season; the team played its final game on July 10, 2019, against the Hanwha Eagles Futures League team.[4]

Altogether, more than 200 players fulfilled their military duties on the Police team during its existence.

Notable former players

NameYears playedKBO Team
2016–2017 Doosan Bears
2008–2009 Samsung Lions
2006–2007 Samsung Lions
2009–2011 Doosan Bears
2014–2016 SK Wyverns
2015–2016 Doosan Bears
2010–2011 Doosan Bears
2012–2013 Lotte Giants
2015–2016 Lotte Giants
2017–2018 Doosan Bears
2014–2015 Doosan Bears
2009–2010 Doosan Bears
2005–2007 Woori Heroes
2018–2019 NC Dinos
2009–2012 Doosan Bears
2011–2012 Doosan Bears
2012–2013 NC Dinos
2011–2012 Doosan Bears
2017–2018 KT Wiz
2008–2009 Woori Heroes
2015 NC Dinos
2008–2009 Doosan Bears

See also

References

Notes
  • General
  • External links

    Notes and References

    1. Kim Hyo-Kyung. "Woop-woop! That’s the sound of da Police Team disbanding," Korea JoongAng Daily (July 5, 2019).
    2. KIM HYO-KYUNG, PARK SO-YOUNG. "Military service looms over KBO," Korea JoongAng Daily (April 16, 2019).
    3. http://www.koreatimesus.com/s-korea-baseball-community-denounces-abrupt-recruitment-halt-at-police-club/ S. Korea baseball community denounces abrupt recruitment halt at police club,"
    4. Kim Hyo-kyung. "Kim Tae-gun prepares for return to the big leagues," Korea JoongAng Daily (July 5, 2019).