In a tense KBO League matchup at Gocheok Sky Dome on April 26, Kiwoom Heroes’ Park Soo-jong suffered a scary hit by pitch, yet officials did not classify it as a headshot due to an initial helmet deflection.
The Crucial At-Bat
Samsung Lions held a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the eighth inning with two outs and a runner on first. Reliever Miyaji fired a 148 km/h fastball on a 1-2 count that first grazed Park Soo-jong’s helmet before striking the fleshy area behind his right ear. Park collapsed immediately from the impact but walked to first base before being replaced by pinch-runner Im Byung-woong. Miyaji, who had already plunked Park Ju-hong earlier, was pulled for Lee Seung-hyun.
Kiwoom officials noted the pitch struck the back of Park’s head directly enough to warrant hospital evaluation. The next day, the team reported a right eardrum perforation but no major concerns for training or play, estimating a three-week recovery. Manager Seol Jong-jin emphasized, “Park Soo-jong showed the best form today amid a fierce battle. We hope it’s not a serious injury.”
Rule Interpretation Sparks Questions
KBO records did not mark the incident as a headshot, as umpires ruled the ball deflected off Park’s back before hitting his head. This aligns with league guidelines defining a headshot as a direct strike to the head or helmet from a straight pitch, excluding deflections from other body parts.
Despite the severe outcome—swelling and eardrum damage—umpires stood by their call, prioritizing mechanical deflection over injury severity.
Similar Incident Highlights Inconsistency
Just days earlier on April 18 at Daegu Samsung Lions Park, Samsung starter Orecclin unleashed a sharp 147 km/h pitch at LG Twins’ Oh Ji-hwan in the first inning. The ball clipped Oh’s helmet directly, prompting a lengthy umpire review before ruling it the season’s third headshot. LG manager Yeom Kyung-yeop protested vehemently as discussions dragged on.
Balancing Protection and Precision
The KBO headshot rule aims to deter dangerous pitches aimed at batters’ heads. Direct helmet or head contact triggers ejection potential, but body deflections exempt it. Critics argue this overlooks threats to the head zone, where instinctive dodges lead to grazes and subsequent impacts. Park’s case exemplifies the gray area: a high-velocity pitch toward the head area caused significant harm, yet escaped the designation.
While deflections add complexity, experts call for clearer guidelines emphasizing pitch trajectory over post-contact path to better safeguard players without overburdening pitchers on unavoidable ricochets.
