Choi Dong-won Free Baseball Clinic Produces First Pro Draft Picks in 11 Years Since Launch

The Choi Dong-won Children's Free Baseball Clinic, established to plant the dream of becoming a baseball player in children facing financial hardships, has borne the valuable fruit of producing its first professional baseball players 11 years after its launch.

The Choi Dong-won Memorial Foundation announced today (October 13) that pitcher Choi Su-hong (Gyeongnam High School), a 3rd-batch alumnus of the baseball clinic, was selected in the 4th round by the Hanwha Eagles in the 2027 KBO Rookie Draft, and pitcher Kim Min-seo (Busan High School), a 2nd-batch alumnus, was selected in the 11th round by the Kiwoom Heroes.

The Choi Dong-won Children's Free Baseball Clinic set sail in 2015 for underprivileged baseball prospects who find it difficult to experience elite baseball due to economic burdens.

It has been operated entirely free of charge for 11 years through the pure sponsorship of the Choi Dong-won Memorial Foundation, the local community, and baseball fans so that children dreaming of becoming the "second Choi Dong-won" can train without worrying about equipment or lesson fees.

Choi Su-hong, who first held a baseball at the clinic while attending Suyeong Elementary School, blossomed his skills through Gaeseong Middle School and Gyeongnam High School, eventually receiving the call from Hanwha.

Kim Min-seo, who started baseball during his days at Yangjeong Elementary School, also stepped onto the professional stage through the Kiwoom draft after quietly shedding sweat through Busan Middle School and Busan High School.

The news of the two players achieving the feat of a professional draft by overcoming poor environments has also become a hope for younger prospects currently learning baseball.

Kang Jin-soo, Secretary-General of the Choi Dong-won Memorial Foundation, said, "We hope that the drafting of these two players will serve as a new dream and motivation for younger peers starting baseball even under difficult conditions."

Currently operated free of charge with a scale of about 30 members under the guidance of Manager Kim Jae-taek, the Choi Dong-won Youth Baseball Team plans to continue its sustained support so that underprivileged children can grow through baseball.

(Photo provided by the Choi Dong-won Memorial Foundation, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.