I never dreamed that ball wasn’t a hit.

NC Dinos manager Lee Ho-jun met with reporters on the 28th at Changwon NC Park, ahead of the 8th game of the season against the Doosan Bears in the 2025 Shinhan SOL Bank KBO League, and said, "I found out today for the first time that Son Ah-seop's hit in the 8th inning the previous day was ruled an error by the first baseman." He expressed disbelief.

Son Ah-seop started as the sixth right fielder in the game against Doosan the previous day, and in the 8th inning with one out and the bases loaded, he faced Doosan's closer Kim Taek-yeon, hitting the first pitch slider into the gap between the first and second basemen. First baseman Kang Seung-ho bent down to catch it but was unable to do so, and the ball rolled toward the right fielder, allowing third base runner Cheon Jae-hwan to score. The play was ruled an error by the first baseman.

Manager Lee Ho-jun said, "I found out for the first time today that it was ruled an error. The operations team manager showed me the video. I’ve watched the video five times," he started, expressing, "I don’t understand. Even if Kang Seung-ho had caught it with a diving catch, in my opinion, there would have been no way to throw to second or first. I can’t understand why it was ruled an error. Of course, the first baseman's step was a bit off, but I still don’t get it."

The NC team plans to file an appeal regarding the ruling. Manager Lee Ho-jun noted, "This is unjust. It’s definitely worth appealing. Even the manager said he would file an appeal. If this is an error, what then qualifies as a hit?" He went on to say, "Now the records committee will make a decision. However, if the appeal is not accepted, our (Son) Ah-seop might not remain quiet. He might hold a press conference," he joked, expressing hope for correcting the record.

Manager Lee Ho-jun continued, "Honestly, even if it’s not our team’s player, I don’t understand the error ruling. I never dreamed that it wasn’t a hit. The broadcasters didn’t say, 'He should have caught that,' but rather noted, 'That was a game-winning hit.' Not all hits require a diving effort."

Meanwhile, NC's starting lineup against Doosan's left-handed starter Jack Logg includes Kim Joo-won (shortstop), Kwon Hee-dong (left fielder), Park Min-woo (second baseman), Matt Davidson (first baseman), Park Gun-woo (right fielder), Kim Hwi-jip (third baseman), Song Seung-hwan (designated hitter), Kim Hyung-jun (catcher), and Oh Tae-yang (center fielder). The starting pitcher is Logan Allen.

Fortunately, Kim Hwi-jip, who was replaced due to a hamstring injury the day before, avoided a serious injury. Manager Lee Ho-jun explained, "He received an injection to help with flexibility, and he said he is able to play. We might substitute him depending on how the situation evolves. We won’t push him too hard."

[OSEN]