[My Daily = Amami Oshima (Japan) Reporter Kim Jin-seong] “We caught a tiny fish, but they’re calling it a sea bream…”
KIA Tigers players are struggling to find entertainment during their off days at the spring training camp in Amami Oshima, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan. Most players are confined to their rooms resting, while a few venture out for meals or grab snacks from nearby convenience stores.
In the midst of this, Kim Sun-bin (37), Kim Seok-hwan (29), and Han Jun-soo (28) made headlines by announcing their plans to go fishing. This self-proclaimed “fishing expedition” opted to cast their lines from the breakwater rather than taking a boat out to sea.
However, when I caught up with Han Jun-soo at the Amami Oshima Municipal Baseball Stadium on the 8th, he revealed they couldn’t go fishing on their day off on the 7th. The reason was straightforward: terrible weather. Since my arrival on the 4th, which saw clear skies, it’s been raining intermittently from the 5th onward. Blue skies have been a rare sight. At one point, strong winds even prompted a gust warning. The winds finally died down on the 9th, and on the 10th, they were treated to clear skies and warmer temperatures for the first time in days.
Given these conditions, fishing on the 7th would have been unsafe. There’s a chance their fishing expedition might be cut short altogether. KIA is scheduled to train in Amami Oshima until the 21st, with three more rest days on the 11th, 15th, and 19th.
It’s uncertain whether they’ll have the opportunity to fish again next year. While General Manager Shim Jae-hak expressed satisfaction with the training facilities, Manager Lee Beom-ho voiced concerns about the unpredictable weather. Ultimately, the quality of training conditions and intensity take precedence over recreational activities like fishing.
The indoor training facilities are top-notch. However, some have pointed out that relying solely on indoor batting practice could potentially hinder players’ ability to maintain their hitting form. Manager Lee Beom-ho explained that even on rain-free days, strong winds can disrupt focus during outdoor batting practice.
Fortunately, KIA’s batters were able to conduct outdoor hitting and defensive drills on the 9th and 10th as the weather improved. On the 10th, they finally enjoyed clear skies. Manager Lee Beom-ho remarked, “If the weather stays like this, we’ll be grateful.”
The forecast shows clear skies until the 21st, with temperatures expected to rise. However, after experiencing the intensity of the rain and wind, the team will likely approach the decision about returning to Amami Oshima for next year’s spring training with caution. Intense internal discussions are expected.
KIA has frequently changed its primary spring training locations in recent years. They trained in Tucson, Arizona in 2023; Canberra, Australia in 2024; Irvine, California in 2025; and now Amami Oshima this year. Manager Lee Beom-ho and several players have noted the challenges of adapting to new environments each year for their primary camp.
Despite the setbacks, the Amami Oshima fishing expedition wasn’t a total bust. Han Jun-soo chuckled, saying, “We managed to go out about four times. We even caught a tiny fish. Sun-bin and I reeled it in.” He added, “It was small, but we thought it might be a sea bream. We didn’t even realize we had a bite because the wind was bending the rod so much. We just decided to reel it in on a whim, and there it was!”
Apparently, Kim Seok-hwan is the most experienced angler of the group. It seems Han Jun-soo and Kim Sun-bin picked up some fishing tips from him. Regardless of whether they return to Amami Oshima next year, this experience will undoubtedly become a cherished memory. Han Jun-soo reflected, “If nothing else, fishing taught me patience.”
Most Commented