BSN Exclusive: Seunghwan Oh shows us how baseball reaches across generations and cultures

DENVER – In between Sunday’s four-game road sweep of the Atlanta Braves and Tuesday’s game one of a six-day homestand, Rockies players enjoyed an off day on Monday, only their second day of rest in more than three weeks.

While it seems like a day away from baseball activities might be the healthiest thing for any ballplayer whose season lasts seven-plus months—make it eight-plus months if you’re in the playoffs—some can’t stay away from the national pastime.

For South Korean reliever Seunghwan Oh, the game of baseball transcends the boundaries of America and is one that’s most exciting in late August when played by youngsters in Williamsport, Pennsylvania as part of the Little League World Series.

Oh was candid before Tuesday night’s game which would feature him tossing a scoreless eighth inning against the San Diego Padres:

“I was watching the LLWS yesterday and it was amazing to learn how some players in the majors actually played in the LLWS back in the day. They made it to the majors and had successful careers after that. (The Little League World Series) is a special thing.”

Referencing Todd Frazier and Michael Conforto of the New York Mets and Scott Kingery of the Philadelphia Phillies as young all-stars who made it to the biggest stage for a 12-year-old, the two NL East foes faced off in the second annual Little League Classic game on Sunday night.

Last year, Oh took part in the first edition of the Little League Classic as a member of the St. Louis Cardinals when they faced the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The game, the kids, and the entire experience left an indelible mark on Oh.

“It’s kind of amazing how you can go out there (to Williamsport) during the season. For players, it’s a unique experience to get out there and see these kids competing against each other. Especially for kids around the world from other countries, just to have that experience. I’m really happy for those kids because they get to dream big because of the experience.”

A graduate of Kyunggi High School in Seoul, Oh was able to spend time with the team representing the Asia-Pacific and Middle East Region, who also hailed the West Seoul Little League.

“I was happy to see them, but unfortunately, they didn’t make it very far. This year, when I’m not there, they’re actually performing pretty well. So, I feel good about (the team from South Seoul) and hopefully, they continue their success.”

Held in the former Lumber Capital of the World, the Little League Classic is played at BB&T Ballpark at Historic Bowman Field, home of the Phillies short-season affiliate Williamsport Cutters.

He did not play in that inaugural game in 2017, so it was Oh’s first taste of baseball in a minor league park.

After nine seasons in the Korean Baseball Organization (KBO) of South Korea and two seasons in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), Oh came to the states at age 33 as a polished veteran ready to contribute to the major league club without having to go through minors.

“I haven’t been to many minor league complexes here in the states. Through that game, I got to indirectly experience what guys go through when they’re coming up through the minors. It was a good experience.”

For Oh, it was this experience in Williamsport that shed light on the journey of minor league ballplayers here in America.

“What I felt was how people always see the big leagues and think about how amazing the glory is under the lights, but it was a good experience to show everyone what they go through to really work themselves up to the big leagues. It was a good experience for myself and a reminder to everyone.”

On whether the relationship between the KBO and NPB is comparable to that of the minor leagues and the majors, Oh carefully considered this connection:

“Structure-wise, you can say that. But (the KBO) is getting better. It’s good to see everything improving not only in the NPB, but in the KBO as well.”

Whether it’s baseball played at the Little League level or in the minors, Seunghwan Oh’s passion and respect for the game and its players is clear.

It is a game that brings people of all ages, and from all walks of life, together.