[Anchor]

Critics point out that the recent controversy over derogatory cheering stems from a culture of mockery that has become rampant in student baseball. With sportsmanship—which emphasizes respect for the opponent—missing, cheering that targets not only players but even coaches has persisted.

Reporter Bae Jeonghun has the story.

[Reporter]

This is the match between Baejae High School and Gwangju Jeil High School, where the controversy over cheering that disparaged the May 18 Democratization Movement erupted.

Even before the problematic so-called "Starbucks" cheer, provocations against the opposing team continued throughout the game.

Some players made dog barking sounds to distract the pitcher, while others mocked the pitcher, shouting at him to throw a ball.

Such mockery is not unique to Baejae High School.

A few years ago, during a game between rival schools in Seoul, collective cheering aimed at provoking the opposing team's pitcher continued.

[Ball, ball, ball, ball, ball.]

[Give up all the runs and get off the mound.]

Earlier this year, at a national tournament, when a first-year player stepped up to the plate, cheers mocking the opposing team's third-year ace echoed through the stadium.

[You'll be embarrassed if you get hit by a first-year.]

Professional team scouts say that "mockery cheering" has become increasingly severe over the past few years.

One scout stated that complaints from opposing teams due to derogatory cheering are on the rise, and that even when umpires request restraint, it has no effect.

A scout from another club mentioned that in a game they attended, there were even instances where the opposing team's coach was mocked by name. They added that they had conveyed their opinion to the teams involved, asking them to refrain from such behavior, but there was no change.

One of the reasons why mockery-based cheering does not disappear is the rarity of strong disciplinary actions.

The regulations for the Blue Dragon Flag tournament, where the May 18 disparagement controversy occurred, state that "excessive cheering" can lead to a suspension of up to three games. However, there were almost no cases of actual ejection or suspension prior to this incident.

Experts agree that it is difficult to understand the phenomenon of rampant mockery in the baseball community, which is known for having many unwritten rules that prioritize consideration for the opponent.

[Yoo Hyo-sang / SBS Sports Amateur Baseball Commentator: Outside of Korea, you don't see this kind of cheering culture in amateur baseball in places like Japan or the U.S. Because there is a mindset that one must win at all costs, even parents sometimes pressure coaches, asking, 'Why is only our team not doing that kind of cheering? The kids are losing their spirit.']

The Korea Baseball Softball Association announced that it plans to make it mandatory to provide prior notice prohibiting inappropriate cheering at all future tournaments and to refine relevant regulations to ensure strict responses to similar cases.

Reported by Bae Jeonghun | Video by Yang Doo-won | Video Editing by Ha Seong-won | Graphics by Seo Seung-hyun and Hwang Se-yeon