WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC: POOL B - AUSTRALIA VS KOREA

March 9, 2023

Ji Young Lee

Tokyo Dome

Team Korea

Pregame Press Conference

Q. This is the opening game. How do you feel right now?

JI YOUNG LEE: Yes, I am representing Team Korea and this is my first time career in my life. I'm so honored. This is the opening game. I'm so excited.

Q. Yang Euiji will be the main catcher and you are probably the backup catcher. What's the game plan for the catcher spot?

JI YOUNG LEE: Yes, I am the backup catcher, and also, I am well prepared as Team Korea. I mainly am catching the bullpen and I report to the coaches. That's my main role.

Q. A couple days ago when you joined to the team, and you were the only player sitting in business class on the flight. Why did it happen? And also you get along with older players and also with younger players. What's the key?

JI YOUNG LEE: First, for the business class trip, about that business clap trip, I am the elder player. That's why the team let me sit, and a lot of my players is making a joke, fun of me, "Oh, Mr. Lee, you are the grandfather." That's why that happened.

And yes, the chemistry is for Team Korea is very good, especially between me and the younger players.

Q. At the U.S. spring training in Seoul, and Osaka as well, you've been catching a lot of pitchers' pitching. Overall, how do you evaluate Team Korea's pitchers' condition?

JI YOUNG LEE: Yes, in America, at Arizona, the aiming is to get used to the WBC's official baseball. And compared to the Korean's baseball, official WBC ball flies. It carries a lot longer than Korean's baseball.

We've been using the WBC official ball many times, so we get used to it.

Q. When you played in the KBO league, you had a lot of experience, including the Japan Championship Series. What's the key to communicate with the pitchers?

JI YOUNG LEE: Personally, if it's a do-or-die, short time tournament, I'm always asking pitchers, what's the confident -- what's the pitch he would prefer to pitch. This such WBC tournament, it's like a do-or-die elimination tournament, so I'm always making good connection, good contact with the pitchers, which pitch he would prefer to throw.

Q. You're representing Team Korea, and you now join one of the top high-level pitchers and you're such an elder person. You are still on the way to growing up as a player. What does this experience mean to you?

JI YOUNG LEE: Yes, I am luckily having an opportunity to catch the national team's pitcher's pitch. I was expecting more offense usually. But it's a great experience catching a lot of pitches as a catcher.

Q. A couple days ago when you played an intrasquad game, you catched Kim Won Jung's pitch. How do you feel about Kim Won Jung's condition as a catcher's view?

JI YOUNG LEE: Compared to the spring training in Arizona back in the U.S., all the pitchers condition is getting up. They had very good rhythm, and including Kim Won Jung. He became to throw a lot confident, including a forkball and fastball. He gained his velocity, so I think he's doing fine.

Q. You are probably expected to play, and you haven't had much opportunity to have at-bats. How is your condition right now?

JI YOUNG LEE: Yes, I am not a home run hitter, so I am okay. My style is trying to adjust the situation. And since I get used to play in the late inning situation, so I'm all right.