Clutch Defense Seals the First Team Chance
The morning after the first-team exhibition game announcement, Kim Hu-seong skipped the nearby Goyang Turkeys Stadium and prepared to head to the Gocheok Turkeys dome instead. The Gocheok Turkeys didn't provide transportation for second-team players called up to the first team or first-teamers sent down to the farm. Some clubs offered buses for their players, but unfortunately, the Turkeys weren't one of them. When situations like this arose, players had to make their own way there. That was one reason having a car was such a blessing. The roads were pretty jammed, but he still made it to Gocheok in just over an hour.
“Whew…”
He parked, took a deep breath, and stepped out of the car. As soon as he entered the Gocheok Sky Dome entrance, the first-team manager approached him.
“Oh! Kim Hu-seong~! It's just an exhibition, but welcome to the first team for now.”
“Thank you, sir.”
Yeah, after all the training and pain it took to get here, time to give it everything I've got. Of course, as the manager said, it wasn't the official opening yet—just an exhibition—but making the first-team roster still meant something. Plenty of guys never even got the call-up.
Glancing around, he saw first-team players already warming up, sneaking peeks at him.
“A real rookie made it to the first team, huh?”
“Name's... Kim Hu-seong?”
“The eleventh-round pick, right?”
“Eleventh round? Whoa, how'd he even get called up? Second-team coach is brutal.”
Murmurs like that drifted from all around. They eyed him with a mix of curiosity and disbelief.
Hmm...? Is getting called up from the second team such a big deal?
“Hello, seniors. I'll work hard.”
He kept a calm face, bowed, and greeted them. What else could he do right now but show his face?
“Hmm... yeah.”
“Right. Didn't expect a call-up this early. Surprising. We've met before, haven't we?”
Lee Sang-hyeon, the first-team starting outfielder, looked at him and said.
“Yes, we have.”
“Well, once the rehabbing guys come back, your spot's toast anyway... Hang in there. Or maybe they'll just trot you out for exhibitions?”
Oof... Fact-bombing me right to my face... The sharp words from a senior hit hard, tightening his chest. It wasn't wrong, though. When veterans like Hwang Do-yoon and Gu Min-seok returned from rehab, he'd be pushed out. That just made him more determined not to waste this time.
After stowing his gear in the locker room and prepping for training per the first-team manager's schedule, the chief coach called him over.
“Kim Hu-seong?”
“Yes, Coach.”
“Yeah. We put your name up since a spot opened, but honestly, I can't guarantee you'll actually play in this exhibition.”
Hmm... Figures. Can't be helped. He nodded right away.
“That's fine, Coach. Just being called up to the first team is a huge experience for me. Training here alone will teach me tons and help me grow. Playing or not doesn't matter—my job is to make the most of whatever chance I get.”
The chief coach eyed him for a moment, then nodded.
“Good attitude. Being here will be a big stimulus for you. Opportunities come anytime. Just don't miss yours when it does. Might even... happen today? If the score blows out, we could sub you in.”
“Got it.”
Before the game, they ran light warm-ups. He'd expected something special for first-team practice, but surprisingly, it wasn't much different from the second team. They split into outfield and infield for basic defense drills, then took simple cuts in the batting cages. The coaches focused more on loosening up than nitpicking, which eased his tension a bit.
In the end, baseball was baseball. Fundamentals. In that familiar rhythm, he felt the ball settle in his glove as he fielded, and the bat connect crisply on swings.
After training came mealtime. But something felt off—the spread looked pretty meager. Of course, players didn't eat heavy before games; overeating tanked performance. They ate light, then properly after. Still... this was a bit much. Exhibition game, so maybe they're skimping.
He wolfed it down anyway, rested briefly, then waited in the locker room. Players trickled in. Lineup announcement soon...
And in came Director Kim Young-ho.
“Here's today's lineup. Leadoff hitter...”
...
“Nine-hole is third baseman Im Jae-min. That's it.”
As the chief coach predicted, no Kim Hu-seong.
“Alright, everyone to the field. Game time.”
“Yes, sir!”
The players headed out, and the Gocheok Turkeys vs. Jamsil Falcons exhibition kicked off.
“Hey, how's it feel?”
No Jun-hyuk, a fellow rookie sitting next to him in the dugout, asked.
“What?”
“Being up with the first team?”
“Not much different...? Doesn't feel worlds apart from second team yet.”
“Ah... yeah?”
“Yeah.”
“We've barely played two exhibition games ourselves. Group chat said it too—just wait for the director to give us a shot...”
Hmm... Even the guys stuck here aren't getting much PT... So for me...Sigh. Whatever. Just watch the game.
Exhibition or not, the first-teamers' play was on another level. Especially the pitchers—they hit 140 km/h easy, and relievers often touched 150. Among guys he'd faced, only Lee Tae-sin and the now-Daejeon-bound Choi Kang-hyuk matched up, but the first team was loaded with them.
He watched the opposing pitchers closely—until disaster struck. Bottom of the eighth, during defense, Jeong I-hoon signaled for a sub. They sent the trainer, but he said he'd tweaked his leg earlier on a play. Word reached the dugout fast. First-team Director Kim Young-ho frowned and glanced at the chief coach.
“Haa... Tell them to check Jeong I-hoon's condition carefully. Who to replace him with? Any decent options?”
The chief coach hesitated, then replied.
“How about the new call-up, Kim Hu-seong? Looked solid on defense in warm-ups. It's just exhibitions anyway—worth a shot.”
Kim Young-ho glanced his way.
“Hmm... He covers infield and outfield, right?”
The chief coach nodded.
“Yes, exactly.”
“Then let's give him a go since he's here. Tell him to get ready.”
The message hit him quick.
“Kim Hu-seong. Center field.”
His chance. Adrenaline surged. He grabbed his outfield glove and hustled out. Sitting all eighth made his legs feel heavy, but that didn't matter. What counted was playing.
Situation: bottom eight, two outs. Score 5-2 Turkeys' favor. Four more outs and it was over—not a high-pressure spot.
Thwack! The batter connected. Ball soaring deep to right-center.
To the left... I can get it! Instinct kicked in—he dove into a sprint. Feet skimmed the grass lightly, eyes locked on the ball.
Miss it, and it's straight back to second team... Can't let that happen!
Body in full flight toward it. At the last second, he stretched his left arm, glove open wide.
Pop! The heavy thud hit his palm.
Got it! Ball nestled perfectly. He jammed his hand in to confirm, then fired to second.
“Hmm... Expanded range, huh?”
Director Kim Young-ho muttered softly.
“Didn't run like that before, did he?”
The chief coach nodded in agreement.
“Yeah, definitely improved. Probably Oh Tae-sik's second-team training. Test days, he played narrower and safer... Might've been a hit back then. If he keeps that up consistently, we could use him as a defensive sub.”
The director crossed his arms, watched a beat, then nodded faintly.
“But his real issue's elsewhere... Let's keep observing.”