SOUTH KOREA – The 2009 Korean League will begin its six-month journey on April 4th, the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) announced earlier this week.

The defending champions – SK Wyverns – will meet the Hanhwa Eagles in the opening round of games at Munhak Baseball Stadium in Incheon, while the Doosan Bears will host the Kia Tigers in Seoul at Jamsil Stadium.

In other season-opening contests, the Lotte Giants will battle the Heroes in Busan at Sajik Stadium while the Samsung Lions will square off against the LG Twins in Daegu.

The 2009 KBO All-Star Game will take place on July 25 at a venue that will be named at a later date.

The KBO has also changed the post-season schedule with the format for the second playoffs switched to a best-of-five series.

League officials also announced earlier changes to the total number of games each team plays, increasing them from 126 to 133. The KBO board also scrapped the “limitless overtime rule” at a meeting in Silla Hotel, Seoul, Jan. 13.

Source: Korea Times

Tags: South Korea