Korea's boys of summer

By Bernard Rowan

A lot of American media attention was focused last week on the Little League World Series Championship in Williamsport, Pa. The eventual champions from South Korea weren't the subject. It was the U.S. team, the Jackie Robinson West All-Stars from the Southside of Chicago. Their success story shows the power of urban youth against the odds.

But I'm not going to write about the Chicago team. I want to discuss little league baseball in your country and your boys of summer. Just as the South Korean team's victory received little or no attention over here (and not because of sour grapes, I'd add), the same was true in your country. I haven't heard of a ticker tape parade. I didn't hear that Park Geun-hye phoned the team on the plane. The mayor of Seoul didn't greet them at the airport. Pity that.

I've read there were no celebrations of note, beyond a team dinner. Little League Baseball in South Korea doesn't garner the attention and respect that it should. From what I understand, it's viewed as ''peanuts" compared to the big leagues. That's a shame.

Did you see the team's spirited salute at the championship game? Heartwarming. The smiles on their faces reflected joy and doubtless satisfaction after hours and days of practice and play. Their championship record bested all teams. Their families and sponsors must feel so good these days. We should, too. Sin Don-wan, Kim Jae-min, Hwang Jae-yeong and Choi Hae-chan had outstanding performances. Coach Hwang Sang-hoon and all of Korea can be proud of the entire team and their excellent play.

The Korean Wave (hallyu) is typically associated with entertainment, music, popular dramas and the like. Shouldn't we include these young stars of sport? They've impressed many and should inspire other Koreans, Asians and people worldwide to play ball. Many thought that in intra-Asian play, the Japanese would defeat them, or the Taiwanese.

South Korea is a past champion in the World Series of Little League. It won the 1984 and 1985 tournaments. With their victory in this series, they remain undefeated in World Series championship play.

I thought of some obvious ways to reward our heroes of the summer of 2014. Bless them all, they don't expect a reward themselves. We should celebrate their victory by building more interest and excellence in youth sports. Consider these suggestions:

1. It's great to know about the future of the Korean Baseball Hall of Fame in Busan. That's fantastic. The museum should include an exhibit about Little League with fitting mention of the Korean champions and youth baseball.

2. Korean industries and provincial and municipal authorities, including those in rural areas, should build playing fields and organize youth sport leagues and tournaments. I've read there are many little leagues and elementary school teams but not enough baseball fields.

3. Today, baseball isn't just for boys. LG Electronics and the Women's Baseball Association of Korea will soon sponsor an international women's baseball tournament in Seoul. That's great, but they should also focus on encouraging young women to play the sport too.

4. The Korean Education Ministry should examine its provision of physical education related to baseball and other sports.

5. The President of Korea and the Mayor of Seoul should consider proclaiming a day of celebration for the winning national team.

6. Invite the team to the Korea Professional Baseball championship games and hold a celebration there.

7. The top pro teams include the Samsung Lions, KIA Tigers, and SK Wyverns. Your coaches, players and organizations should meet with the team and run more clinics to promote youth baseball.

Have you heard of Jin Roy Ryu? Let's thank the chairman of Poongsan Group for keeping junior league baseball on the map in Korea. In an era where young people connect better to their Samsung Galaxy phones and iPads instead of each other, it's a real achievement to uphold and extend the play of youth in organized sport.

Other corporate and civic leaders should champion youth sports teams. They also should build youth academic teams and related educational programs to encourage the next generation of talented Korean student-athletes. Koreans must continue investing in programs that advance sports and academics. Korean seniors should serve as mentors and coaches.

Baseball is sport. Don't underestimate or exaggerate its value. Democratic nations like athletics for many reasons. Athletics provides a means of competition in good spirit for citizens. They encourage developing adults to understand the meaning of human organization and collective effort. Don't neglect youth sports in contrast to professional or other adult amateur levels of play. Remember, how we celebrate youth achievement reflects how we adults think of ourselves. Don't neglect youth in the zeal for big leagues entertainment and profits. Celebrate the sluggers of Korea. Your boys of summer will soon be the next generation of men. They've made Koreans and fans worldwide proud. Daehanminguk.

Bernard Rowan is assistant provost for curriculum and assessment, professor of political science and faculty athletics representative at Chicago State University, where he has served for 21 years. He can be reached at browan10@yahoo.com.