The '2025 U-12 National Youth Baseball Tournament,' hosted by the Korea Baseball Softball Association and organized by the Uljin County Sports Council and the Uljin County Baseball Softball Association, concluded on the 14th with Daegu Chilseong Elementary School's victory.
A total of 67 teams in the under-12 division participated in the tournament, which was held over ten days from the 5th to the 14th at the Uljin Jugpyeon Marine Pia Baseball Field, Jugpyeon Auxiliary Baseball Field, and the Pyeonghae Complex Baseball Field. The participating teams were divided into three leagues: the Wangpicheon League, Wongdolcho League, and Geumgangsong League, playing a total of 66 matches, including 61 league games and 5 matches in the top-six tournament.
The association strengthened its heat response system, prioritizing the health and safety of youth players in light of ongoing heatwave warnings in Uljin County during the tournament.
Originally scheduled for 12 p.m. and 1:30 p.m., the game times were adjusted to 3:30 p.m. and 5 p.m., respectively, to ensure player safety by avoiding the hottest hours.
Additionally, mobile air conditioners and large fans were installed in the dugouts, more rest periods were added during the games, and medical personnel were continuously stationed to address potential heat-related issues.
In the final match held on the 14th, Busan Suyeong Elementary School faced Daegu Chilseong Elementary School. Daegu Chilseong Elementary School won 5-0 against Busan Suyeong Elementary School, achieving a national tournament victory for the first time in 21 years since 2005.
Daegu Chilseong Elementary School took the lead in the second inning and maintained a close one-point game until the fifth inning, when lead-off batter Kim Min-seok (5th grade) hit a solo home run, followed by Lee Do-yoon (6th grade) hitting a three-run home run, securing their victory. On the mound, starting pitcher Lee Seo-jun (6th grade) and reliever Baek Joo-won (6th grade), who came in during the fourth inning, combined to shut out the Busan Suyeong Elementary School lineup, allowing only one hit.
The Most Valuable Player (MVP) award went to Lee Do-yoon (6th grade, Daegu Chilseong Elementary School), who delivered a critical three-run home run in the final, and Park Seo-jin (6th grade, Suyeong Elementary School), who led his team to the finals.
Yang Hae-young, president of the Korea Baseball Softball Association, said, "This tournament was an opportunity to once again confirm the hot passion and potential of youth players," and noted, "The association will continue to strive for the development of youth baseball and the creation of a safe competitive environment."
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