Autumn in Korea is colored by baseball with autumn leaves. The Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) postseason, often called “fall baseball,” is one of the season’s biggest cultural events. Every year, it brings together the attention and emotions of KBO fans all over the country. However, for those who have never followed baseball before, the KBO League can still feel distant and hard to understand. This article is for students who are curious about baseball but don’t know where to start. We’ve included basic knowledge of the game along with practical tips for visiting a ballpark for the first time. Why don’t you enjoy this fall’s KBO postseason with Pharos?

 South Korea's professional baseball league, commonly referred to as the KBO (Korea Baseball Organization), began in 1982 and is now in its 44th season. It has established itself as the country’s largest professional sports league. The KBO League currently consists of 10 teams, each based in a major city, including Seoul, Incheon, Suwon, Daejeon, Gwangju, Daegu, Busan, and Changwon. The  league follows a structured format that includes a regular season, postseason, and the Korean Series. The regular season begins in late March or early April each year and lasts about six months, with each team playing 144 games. At the end of the regular season, the top five teams based on winning percentage advance to the postseason. The postseason consists of a Wild Card Round, Semi-Playoffs, Playoffs, and the Korean Series. The Wild Card Round is a short series between the fourth- and fifth-place teams in the regular season, with the fourth-place team having a one-game advantage. The winner of this round advances to the Semi-Playoffs, a best-of-three series against the third-place team. The winner then moves on to the Playoffs to face the second-place team in a best-of-five series. Finally, the winner of the Playoffs meets the first-place team from the regular season in the Korean Series, a best-of-seven championship round. The team that wins the Korean Series is crowned the season's champion.

 In these unpredictable matchups, the biggest point to watch this fall is the introduction of the pitch clock, a new rule added this year. The pitch clock limits the time that a pitcher can take before throwing the ball. It has made games faster and more intense, helping fans become more immersed since this regular season. Adding to this excitement, the Hanwha Eagles finished the first half of the season in first place — for the first time in 33 years. With such a dramatic aspect, this year’s KBO season has been more exciting than ever. The basis for various storylines every year, the KBO League continues to grow as one of Korea’s most beloved national sports. This fall, expectations are higher than ever.

 What the best way to feel the thrill of the KBO League? Watching a game live at the ballpark! Watching baseball live at the ballpark is more than just sitting in a seat. You’ll feel the local culture, cheer with other fans, visit merch shops, enjoy food zones, and see cheerleaders perform. For beginners, though, all these new experiences can feel a bit too much. That’s why Pharos has put together some simple ballpark tips to help you enjoy your first visit. Here are four practical tips to make your experience more pleasant and enjoyable.

1. What to Bring to the Baseball Park

 Most baseball games in Korea are played outdoors, so it’s important to prepare for the weather. As the weather gets cooler and games often run long, bringing a jacket is essential. Other useful items include a portable charger, your identification card, water or drinks, tissues or wet wipes, and cheering tools like clappers or banners. However, keep in mind that some items are not allowed, such as glass bottles, strong alcohol, mats, folding chairs, and ice boxes. Always check the park’s rules in advance.

2. Tips for Visiting the Goods Shop

 Visiting the merchandise shop before the game is highly recommended. Popular teams tend to sell out of jerseys, hats, scarves, hand fans, and other merchandise well before the game begins. In particular, teams often offer limited-edition or event-exclusive items, so it's best to arrive two to three hours before the shop opens. Some stadiums also have separate lines for merchandise shop, so it's also helpful to check the stadium layout or entry procedures in advance.

3. How to Use the Ticket Kiosk

 Next, consider using a ticket vending machine to save time. Most stadiums are equipped with self-service kiosks where you can retrieve tickets purchased online using a QR code or reservation number. Buying tickets at the box office on game day can involve long lines, so using a kiosk can reduce the wait and get you in the door faster.

 In addition, a growing number of stadiums offer merchandise reservation and ticketing services through their mobile apps or official websites. This not only reduces the waiting time for purchasing merchandise, but also simplifies the entry procedure by allowing you to enter the stadium directly with your mobile ticket. It's also a good idea to take advantage of advance reservations, especially since mobile reservations often come with discounts and exclusive event entries.

 It’s okay if you don’t know much about baseball. We hope this fall, more students discover baseball as a fun new hobby. At first, the rules might seem confusing and the game unfamiliar, but after watching just one game, you might find yourself cheering for a team without even realizing it. Why not sing along with a cheer song and make the most of your 2025 fall with baseball?

83rd Cub Reporter • Ko Eun Seo • kes060620@gmail.com

84th Cub Reporter • Lim Hyo Jin • hjnm041219@naver.com