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Last month, on the 5th of May, the U.S.-based ESPN sports network aired its first live KBO league game. And U.S. viewers went crazy for the ensuing flipping of the bats the players displayed. But why would that be? Well, in the MLB, such behavior is implicitly condemned, deeming it as an attempt to get a rise out of pitchers. Meanwhile, in Korea, all the players freely give their bats a flip at their leisure, conjuring an even more impassioned, competitive atmosphere. From this year, however, it’s said that the infamous “bat flip” began drawing more appeal among the American audience, while networks even went so far as to introduce the different styles of flipping for each Korean player. As a result, MLB players, themselves, apparently are homing in on their bat flip technique.

Another fun thing to note amid this whole KBO craze is that American fans are starting to pick the team or teams they want to route for. The only thing is that they are not familiar with any of the teams or players, so their way of choosing their favorite team is pretty simplified. For example, one fan based out of the state of North Carolina winds up choosing the NC Dinos because of the matching initials, i.e. NC. Another fan used the simple metric of being a consumer of Samsung products, from televisions to washers and dryers, resulting in rooting for the Samsung Lions. Even though you may not have a specific team you root for, yourself, try following the same trick as above and see who your team turns out to be using the link below!

With the whole world fixing their sights on Korea, this is not the time to sit idly by! As the plan to gradually open seating to fans and spectators unfolds upon the start of the postponed school season, the KBO league is on the cusp of getting that rare chance to let their true colors show! So, on that note, here are three tips for those fledglings just stepping into the KBO world for the first time.

Stadiums packed full of fans rooting together in unison is one of the quirks of KBO league baseball, while footage from previous years are drawing attention even as we speak. Head over to check out all the different videos posted online showing the varied cheers designated to each player!

If you want to become a true baseball fan of the KBO, you’ve got to acquire at least a few of the commonly used vernacular going around. Even covering your base with terms like, “DTD”, or “Jyeot Jahl Ssa”, will be enough to at least follow along with some of what’s going on. Be sure to study your terms so you can put them to use!

Last April, the NC Dinos   received requests from fans who couldn’t attend games to place cardboard cutouts of themselves in the stands. It may have not been as lively as it usually is during a game, but these fan cutouts certainly made their presence known!

The KBO league has finally earned an identity for itself as it boasted a unique baseball culture of its own with the bat flip. And despite not being able to head out to the games and enjoy the passionate gameplay and cheering of spectators, we can at least settle down in front of the TV, or online, and take in the exhilaration of KBO baseball games. With the ESPN network airing KBO games in as many as 130 countries, we can only anticipate the exciting future that lie ahead for K-Baseball!