KBO League Opens 2025 Season With All Foreign Starters

The 2025 KBO League regular season is gearing up to kick off on March 22, 2025, at 2 PM, marking an exciting start for baseball fans across South Korea. As the season opens nationwide, anticipation is high, not just for the games but also for the weather, which is expected to reflect the warmth of spring after a long winter. According to forecasts, most regions will enjoy clear skies and pleasant conditions that should further entice fans to fill the stadiums.

This year’s opening day is particularly noteworthy because it features foreign starting pitchers for all teams—a rare occurrence not seen since 2017. Samsung's Ariel Jurado will take to the mound against the Kiwoom Heroes in what will be his second consecutive opening day appearance. Jurado’s matchup against his former team adds a layer of narrative excitement to the game, embodying the personal stakes that players often carry into the season.

Across the different stadiums, each match-up promises intrigue. In Gwangju, KIA Tigers’ James Naile faces NC Dinos’ Logan Verrett, while in Jamsil, Lotte Giants’ Charlie Barnes will line up against LG Twins’ Yoni Chirinos. Fans in Incheon will watch as Doosan Bears' Cole Irvin cheers to victory against SSG Landers' Drew Anderson, and in Suwon, the KT Wiz’s Enmanuel De Jesus will take on Hanwha Eagles’ Cody Ponce. With every game set to commence at 2 PM, enthusiasts are eager to witness how each pitcher stacks up against the competition.

The 2025 season has implemented new rules aimed at enhancing gameplay. Pitchers are now required to throw within 20 seconds when there are no runners on base, and within 25 seconds when runners are present. If they fail to meet these thresholds, a ball will be added to their pitch count. Batters must also be prepared to step up to the plate within a 33-second window, or they risk a called strike. Furthermore, the extra innings format has been reduced from 12 to 11, a move that many hope will lead to more dynamic and engaging games.

Fans are optimistic about attendance levels this season, especially following the record-setting turnout of over 10 million spectators in the previous year—an accomplishment that had many buzzing in the baseball community. Last year’s opening games saw all five matches sell out, totaling 103,841 fans into the stands. Should this year’s openings achieve the same, the attendance could soar to a staggering 109,950 spectators, heightening the stakes for individual teams.

In addition to the on-field action, various players have made exciting commitments to connect with their fans further. The Lotte Giants’ Jeon Jun-woo announced a Lotte World tour for his supporters, while Samsung's Kang Min-ho launched his own Everland tour promises, hoping to solidify fan loyalty. Meanwhile, LG's Hong Chang-ki is set to deliver products directly to consumers who purchase LG goods—creative engagements that blend sport and commerce in a unique way. These promotional activities are poised to foster more profound connections between the teams and their audiences.

The KBO is benefitting from the league’s growing strategy that retains its fans through entertainment on and off the field. With every team aiming for the championship, the season is expected to be nothing short of thrilling. As the games start tomorrow, the league aims not just for another high attendance year but also to capture the imagination of fans eager for the sport to blossom anew each spring.

As the 2025 season opens its doors, all eyes are on the players and the action that unfolds, with the hope that they can exceed last year's phenomenal success and continue the league’s upward trajectory. Spring has arrived, and with it, the thrill that accompanies live baseball is palpable in every corner of the country.