WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC: POOL B - CZECH REPUBLIC VS JAPAN

March 11, 2023

Pavel Chadim

Tokyo Dome

Team Czechia

Postgame Press Conference

Japan 10, Czech Republic 2

PAVEL CHADIM: Playing baseball with a packed Tokyo Dome, it's such a wonderful experience. I cannot express how much we appreciate and it was such a touching moment.

Q. Tell us about Sasaki, the opponent pitcher. You scored first, although Sasaki pitched over a hundred miles, but your offense scored first.

PAVEL CHADIM: Yes, the pitcher, Sasaki, he's such a great pitcher. Every single manager wants to have him on our roster. He's such a wonderful pitcher. I wish I want him on my team as well, as well as Kuriyamasan's thinking. His velocity is fast but our offense did our best, and it is such a joy to me. What our offense did for tonight against Sasaki.

Q. Tell us about the expansion of baseball in the Czech Republic. How do you feel about the future of baseball in Czech Republic?

PAVEL CHADIM: Yes, I think thanks to the media, it is going to be expanding, we hope. I think right now, all the people in Czech Republic are strongly interested in baseball, the new sport. For the future, we would like to go forward for the next level in March. I think at this moment, baseball is going to be one of the most popular sports in the Czech Republic.

Q. You have one more game to go and you play against Korea tomorrow. Tell us about your thoughts for tomorrow's game.

PAVEL CHADIM: Yes, Korea is also a solid team. Although they were defeated by Japan, but still, Korea is a strong team. So what we could do is play hard.

Q. Tell us about the starting pitcher, Satoria, third inning, he's got a strikeout swinging from Ohtani. According to the Japanese TV, he kept that memorial ball on his own. Do you know anything about the memorial ball that Satoria strike Ohtani out? And also, if possible, can you tell me the probable starter for tomorrow?

PAVEL CHADIM: We were expected to make some surprise for Japanese hitters. On my defense, we have some good work including a couple double plays. Talking about Ohtani Shohei, he's such a wonderful hitter, and it's great that we got that out from Ohtani. It's something we never forget about. Tomorrow's probably starter will be Ercoli will be the starting pitcher for us.

Q. Playing baseball in front of 40,000 plus, this must be the first time ever for your team, and as of your point of view, how did your players play tonight?

PAVEL CHADIM: Yes, tonight's experience in front of the packed audience, this is probable the most joyful moment throughout their playing career. All the fans, my players felt playing baseball, receiving joy from the fans.

Q. So obviously no team wants to lose but you guys took an early lead, you really battled. What moments are going to stand out in your memory, and what is your feeling about the Japanese fans who really showed a lot of appreciation for your baseball along with the team they were rooting for?

PAVEL CHADIM: What I think now, is first inning of Satoria, it was strikeout, strikeout and ground ball to first. And Shohei was strikeout second time. It means it was together, three strikeouts, three of the best hitters from Japan in the lineup. Who have it? Who has it? I think this moment was big. A big moment was double from Mensik. A big moment was RBI, I know it was error but this first run against Japan and leading, leading 1-0 with the best team, I think this is the moment.

About the fans, I think Japan is the best team in the world in baseball. Japan has the best fans in the world, and the best player ever was Ichiro Suzuki.