WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC: POOL B - CZECH REPUBLIC VS KOREA

March 12, 2023

Pavel Chadim

Tokyo Dome

Team Czechia

Pregame Press Conference

Q. Tell us your game plan for today's match.

PAVEL CHADIM: This is an opportunity, facing against the second, third or fourth ranking, Team Korea. Although Korea is not playing well this tournament, but they are a tough opponent, so we have to play hard.

Q. In last night's contest against Japan, you played in front of a 40,000 packed stadium. In Czech Republic, I heard that it was televised. Did you have any reaction from the fans or family back home?

PAVEL CHADIM: Yes, we had a huge reaction. The national TV, our national TV covered the game from the beginning to the end, to improve baseball in the Czech Republic, it helped a lot. Recognition of baseball increased huge. It's a big step.

This week, among the Czechs, baseball is ranked the No. 1 sport in the Czech Republic, and it's such an amazing experience playing baseball in front of the packed Tokyo Dome here in Tokyo.

I wanted to add two more things. One of them is playing against Shohei Ohtani, and Shohei Ohtani sent us a heartwarming text message, I think, and that touched our heart. Team Japan is such a great team. And I wish all the Japanese baseball fans start having interest in Czech baseball.

Q. So your battery today, Lukas Ercoli and Martin Cervenka, they have played together since they were children. So much of this team has been on the national team together. What does it mean to not only be here but to have a team that have reached this point together.

PAVEL CHADIM: I will answer you after the tournament. It's not finished.

Q. What's the strength of Team Korea, and in order to minimize their strength, what's your game plan for today?

PAVEL CHADIM: We prepared well. Although it's difficult to have perfect preparation against Korea. Korea is such a tough opponent. This tournament, we played against four teams and Korea is one of the toughest team among them. So we have to calm down and we have to concentrate, and talking to myself, talking to ourselves, to play hard.

Q. Last night you played until midnight, and then I think your players are exhausted. How is your team's condition right now?

PAVEL CHADIM: Well, personally me, I'm feeling great, and we have younger players in my roster. Although they are young, for the players, it might be difficult because we play till midnight, and early in the morning, the very next morning, we have to play. We had to wake up early. Additionally, we have to react to all the fans' and families' response.

Although physically it might be difficult, but mentally, we are fully well prepared.

Q. My impression, your defense is so solid, and your offense, too, you swing hard, and it was a surprise to the Japanese media. Do you think that lately Team Czech's baseball level is growing quickly, or is it a day-by-day process for a long period of time?

PAVEL CHADIM: Yes, each game, every moment, we usually face against the better team than we are. What we are aiming always when we play baseball is try to aim better, being a better team, and it is such a joy to play against a better team than us. For example, if hitters hit the ball hard, and the baseball is going deep, it's something we have confidence with.