Taiwan Spring Camp 1: Grandpa's Gift and the Promise with Kim Se-rin
With the immense motivation from two things—Grandpa's gift and the promise with cheerleader Kim Se-rin—I finally boarded the plane to Taiwan. My first overseas training camp, and as a pro player, no less. Destination: Gaoxiong in Taiwan. Staring out the window at the unfamiliar scenery, my heart pounded. There was excitement, sure, but fear filled me too.
You'd understand if you saw the roster. It was basically the 2nd team lineup. But these guys were pros too—guys drafted ahead of me. One slip-up on my part, and I might never get another chance.
The moment we dropped our bags at the dorms, the manager called us together. Oh Tae-sik, the 2nd team manager. Word was he was pretty strict.
"Everyone here?"
"Yes, Manager!"
"Good. You all worked hard traveling. We'll take it easy today."
Take it easy? His words said rest, but his expression was anything but light.
"You all know what spring camp means, right? After the season ends, if you just lounge around, your body turns into that of an average Joe's. This is the process of turning that wrecked body back into a player's. Unfortunately, you're closer to 2nd team level than 1st, so you need to put in twice the effort."
A few players' faces hardened instantly at his words. It was basically a straight-up declaration: I'm gonna work you to death.
"Here's the schedule. Early on, we'll ramp up with high-intensity training to get your bodies in shape fast. We'll keep the intense stuff going until you meet the criteria, and only those who handle it move on to batting, fielding, baserunning, and such. Then we'll play practice games against Taiwanese pro teams or other squads training here to build real-game experience."
Practice games already? I hadn't even adjusted yet—could I even perform? Would they even let me play...?
But it didn't end there.
"No one's dumb enough to underestimate the Taiwanese teams, right? Back in the day, they were no big deal. But not anymore. Honestly, they're on par with—or better than—our 2nd team here."
Fair enough... They had pro teams too. In international play, the gap with us wasn't that huge anymore...
"So get ready to train properly. Slack off, and you won't get a good evaluation."
The manager stepped forward, his tone firm.
"And if... we get crushed by these Taiwanese teams? I guarantee I won't recommend any of you for a 1st team call-up."
A chill ran down my spine. It felt like zero tolerance for mistakes—a brutally tough regimen ahead.
As expected, when training kicked off, the intensity was beyond imagination.
"Ughhh..."
"I'm dying..."
It was hell itself. Endless interval runs, circuit weights repeated until your strength was gone, core endurance drills with no break for sweat to dry. Death groans echoed everywhere.
But unlike the pained moans filling the field, Oh Tae-sik stood off to the side, silently watching the players. Arms crossed, brows furrowed, lips slightly downturned, eyes gleaming.
'These kids... This team's ruthless. The ones who messed around in the off-season get weeded out here.'
The players gritted their teeth harder, heads down, but exhaustion made their steps wobble. Oh Tae-sik quietly checked each one. Who'd prepared properly? Who'd wrecked their body on break? It was all laid bare.
'Most won't pass. As expected. How many keep in shape even after the season ends?'
"Most are dropping like flies."
"Yeah."
The baserunning coach sighed in response.
"Haa... Looks like you've seen enough. Report the results later."
"Got it."
Oh Tae-sik headed inside for a break. Once the fitness tests wrapped, the baserunning coach brought the records.
'Huh? A passer?'
One name stood out on the fitness test sheet: Kim Hu-seong. The 11th-round pick who hadn't caught much eye before, listed in reports as a defensive specialist. His strength test was a bit lacking, but he aced most others. Overall score: pass.
'The one weak spot was right when I watched. Rookies can lack power.'
Oh Tae-sik raised an eyebrow and smiled faintly.
"Kim Hu-seong's in early-season form?"
"Yes. Numbers-wise, he's on par with active 1st-teamers just starting the season."
"Huh... Guess the coaches have work to do. Call the batting and fielding coaches."
"On it."
Soon, the 2nd team fielding and batting coaches arrived.
"Coaches, we took it easy early, but something came up."
"Ah! I can guess. Already?"
Oh Tae-sik nodded.
"Have the others keep running this evening. Put Kim Hu-seong through fielding drills—center field and shortstop mainly. That'll give us a read."
"Understood."
He turned to the batting coach.
"Report says his hitting's hopeless. Check it. Test him after fielding, at night."
"Yes, sir."
The coaches jotted notes. Oh Tae-sik crossed his arms again, watching the field. Still dying out there, but his eyes fixed on one spot.
After afternoon training, the batting and fielding coaches reported straight to Oh Tae-sik. Batting coach spoke first, a bitter edge to his face.
"Manager, Kim Hu-seong's hitting... it's truly hopeless."
"Truly?"
Oh Tae-sik narrowed his eyes; the coach elaborated.
"Yes. He swings at everything and makes contact most times. Not bad. But the ball quality's the issue. No solid hits—one and all grounders rolling weakly. Lucky foul tips might get a hit, but basic contact power is awful."
Oh Tae-sik rubbed his chin, deep in thought. Then the fielding coach reported.
"Fielding's solid. Fundamentals are there. Report called him a defensive guy—now I see why. Stable handling, throws, hardly any errors. He could sub in 1st team games without disrupting flow."
Oh Tae-sik nodded slightly.
"Hmm. Fielding passes muster."
The fielding coach added the flaws.
"Range isn't wide, though. Not a speed-coverage type, shoulder's average at best. Given the hitting, better as a steady infield defender than outfield."
After the reports, Oh Tae-sik drummed his fingers on the desk, pondering.
"I get how to use him now. Bring Kim Hu-seong."
"Yes, sir."
I was summoned to the managers' meeting room.
"Kim Hu-seong."
"Yes, Manager."
"Come here."
I stepped forward, tense. Oh Tae-sik's eyes gleamed oddly.
"Wanna go to 1st team?"
1st team? Obviously.
"Yes! Of course I want up."
Oh Tae-sik smiled faintly, nodding.
"Good. You're prepared—fitness at active level, fielding basics solid."
Oh... All those daily runs paid off?
"I see you as 1st-team call-up material."
"Me? But my weaknesses..."
"Yeah, plenty. My way might not be perfect... but I see potential. Tweak a bit, and you're good."
A strange feeling surged—chest swelling with emotion, yet dazed.
Oh Tae-sik met my eyes seriously.
"I'll push you hard this camp. Won't be easy. Can you handle it?"
I answered without hesitation.
"Absolutely!"
His lips curved up slowly.
"Good. Don't forget those words."