LG Twins manager Yeom Kyung-yeop, who was interviewing reporters before the game, summoned Song Chan-ui, who was passing by for training.안전놀이터

"Chan-ui, you are the starting player for the opening game. Prepare well. You don't get a chance that comes all the time," Yeom said. After receiving a sudden notification, Song answered, "Okay" with a puzzled look on his face and left for training.

LG will play the opening game of the regular season against the Lotte Giants at Jamsil Stadium on Tuesday. Lotte announced early left-handed pitcher Charlie Barnes as its starting pitcher. Manager Yeom put forward the card of right-handed hitter Song Chan.

Song Chan-eui showed good performance in this exhibition game, batting .500 (3 hits in 6 at-bats) with two RBIs and one walk against left-handed pitchers.

Coach Yeom included Song Chan-ui in the starting lineup for the opening game not only because he is strong against left-handed pitchers. He made comprehensive judgment by watching from the first U.S. spring camp, the second camp in Japan, and exhibition games.

Manager Yeom said, "Song Chan-ui has changed a lot from the past," adding, "My thoughts when fighting with a pitcher in the batter's box have changed, and I have filled up a lot of basics."

"In the meantime, there has been power, but if it was not successful because the basic skills and details were not filled, now the basic skills have been filled while maintaining the power," he explained.

Song Chan-eui, whom I met afterwards, said, "I didn't know at all about starting the opening game. I was actually a little surprised." "I started the opening game in 2022 and 2023, but it's always been bad, so I'm going to prepare to do it differently this year."

"It's important to do well, but I want to help the team win first. I just want to not cause inconvenience to them," he added.

Song Chan-ui, who became the home run king with six home runs in the 2022 exhibition game, was included in the opening entry of the first team, but failed to show his talent in the regular league.

Song played in only 33 games in the first division that year, but failed to stand out afterwards. He spent longer in the second division than in the first division. He only played 19 games in 2023 and 10 games in 2024. Then, he got a golden opportunity again.

Song Chan-eui said, "I try not to be swayed much because I haven't been able to do it in the past. Just because I am good at it now, there is no guarantee that I will be good at it during the regular season. I am only focusing on what I should do during the regular season while checking and accumulating what I have done so far."

Regardless of his entry into the opening game, Song was sweating throughout the winter. "I was with Kim Hyun-soo and kept exercising," he said. "I received a lot of advice in technical areas while doing weight training and batting training with him. His physical condition is good, which helps him play."

Since it is not a solid starting player, the goal of this season is to increase the number of games played rather than personal figures.

"My goal is to participate in as many matches as possible," Song said. "I want to play in at least 80 matches this year. I'm just going to look ahead."