The team is led by Manager Jong-Hoon Park this year, and consists of 38 players. Also joining them is their head of overseas baseball operations and international affairs J.D. Kim.
“We choose to come here because everybody’s nice and the weather is good,” said Kim in an interview.
A fairly short flight time also favors the group’s trip. They mainly consist of catchers and pitchers, according to Kim. The rest of their teammates are currently at Seoul practicing at their home arena, Jamsil Baseball Stadium.
“Instead of traveling to the United States, we can just go here and do our spring training. It’s much closer,” added Kim.
The LG Twins will utilize both the Franciso “Tan Ko” Palacios Ball Field and track and field during their stay. Because of this, both facilities are temporarily closed to local incomers. Their program consists of nonstop practice from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and again from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
They arrived from Incheon International Airport, located 70 kilometers west of Seoul. The Twins are a member of the Korean Baseball Organization and were formerly known as the ‘MBC Blue Dragons’ until 1989. They have won the Korean Series twice – first in 1990, and again in 1994.
“It’s great that we get international teams coming here,” said Jets’ junior and senior league coach Darren Flores.
Flores has built close relations with the Twins since their first visit.
The team went to Bradenton, Florida last November to practice at the Pittsburgh Pirates’ state-of-the-art spring training home. Upon returning to Korea, the Twins will rest for a couple of days before heading off to Okinawa, Japan for another 50-day stay.
