[Dispatch=Reporter Kim Ji-ho] "Fireworks Fighters vs Ulsan Whales"
The "Special Fireworks Baseball Live Broadcast - Fireworks Fighters vs Ulsan Whales" will be held on the 12th at 2 p.m. at Seoul Gocheok Sky Dome. SBS Plus will exclusively broadcast it live with the voices of commentator Lee Soon-chul and caster Jungwoo Young.
The Fireworks Fighters have been on a 2-game winning streak in live broadcasts. This time, they face Ulsan Whales, the leaders of the Futures League South Division. Notably, player Choi Ji-man will take the field in an Ulsan Whales uniform.
After graduating high school, Choi Ji-man immediately challenged the American stage. He made his Major League Baseball debut with the LA Angels in 2016. He subsequently played for the New York Yankees, Tampa Bay Rays, and Pittsburgh Pirates.
He appeared in 525 Major League games and recorded 67 home runs. In 2020, he became the first Korean position player to set foot on the World Series stage as a member of Tampa Bay. He is currently preparing his return to the KBO League for the 2027 season.
Player Kim Dong-yeop is also a player to watch. He is a power hitter with excellent long-ball ability. He comes from the Chicago Cubs minor league system. He played for SK Wyverns, Samsung Lions, and Kiwoom Heroes in the KBO League. During his minor league career, he recorded a 93.75% stolen base success rate.
Alex Hall, an Australian national team member, is also a player worth noting. He played for the Australian national team in the 2023 APBC (U-24) and 2026 WBC. He is a multi-player who handles both catcher and outfield. In particular, he drew attention by hitting the Ulsan Whales' first grand slam since their founding.
The mound is also formidable. Okada is a pitcher selected in the first round by Hiroshima in 2015 Japanese professional baseball (NPB). He recorded 24 wins in the NPB with fastballs reaching a top speed of 153 km/h. He also appeared as a Japanese national team representative in the 2018 MLB-JAPAN Series.
Kobayashi is also a starting pitcher prospect who throws fastballs at a top speed of 150 km/h. He played for SoftBank for four years starting in the 2020 season, showing stable pitching. Manager Jang Wonjin also expressed expectations, saying he is "a player who will play an important role in the starting rotation."
The Fireworks Fighters' performance is also anticipated. The Fireworks Fighters are particularly strong in live broadcast games. In all live broadcast games in the 2026 season, they have won. In their recent matchup against Hwimun High School, they achieved a decisive 13-4 victory with Shin Jae-young's career-best performance and an explosive offensive lineup.
<Photo source=SBS Plus>
