Gocheok Sky Dome revamps ahead of first MLB Seoul Series

Gocheok Sky Dome has been fully revamped ahead of the country’s first Major League Baseball (MLB) Seoul Series scheduled to take place next week.

The newly revamped Gocheok Sky Dome in Guro District, western Seoul. The Seoul Metropolitan Government said on Tuesday the domed baseball stadium has been refurbished ahead of Korea's first-ever opening of the MLB regular season on March 20 and 21. [SEOUL METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT]

Gocheok Sky Dome has been fully revamped ahead of the country’s first Major League Baseball (MLB) Seoul Series scheduled to take place next week.

On Tuesday, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon visited the domed baseball stadium in Western Seoul to ensure that the venue was ready to host the first regular MLB season game in Korea. The revamp of the venue comes about eight years after the stadium was built in 2015.

"We expect all players to display their best abilities with the help of comprehensive refurbishment of facilities, from the grass to the lighting and even the locker rooms," Oh said as he inspected the stadium, expressing his hope that the MLB Seoul Series would become an annual event. “The interaction between the MLB and the Korean baseball scene has begun in earnest.”

All 11,493 square meters (2.8 acres) of the grass field has been newly designed, now featuring two colors rather than one. The field was also revamped by cooperating with MLB's ground keepers, which included installing G-max shock absorbers.

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, far left, looks around Gocheok Sky Dome in Guro District, western Seoul, on Tuesday. The baseball stadium has been revamped ahead of the country's first-ever opening of the MLB regular season on March 20 and 21. [SEOUL METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT]

The ground lighting, which was metal halide lamps, has been replaced with brighter LED lights, expected to be more energy-efficient saving. Additionally, 56 colored LED lamps have been newly installed to be used for different spectator events during the match, such as for home runs.

Other facilities, including the player lockers, cafeteria and sky boxes, have been refurbished, according to the city government.

A photo zone and garden have also been set up to entertain MLB Seoul Series spectators.

The city government on Tuesday also promised to ensure that the games would take place in a safe environment by working closely with the Guro District Office, police and fire authorities. Some 150 personnel will be deployed for site control and four ambulances will be on standby.

Over 100,000 spectators are anticipated to visit the venue, according to the metropolitan government.

"We will ensure that the crowd will be managed thoroughly during entry and exit to create a perfect game without any safety issues,” Oh said.

A refurbished locker room at Gocheok Sky Dome [SEOUL METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT]

The MLB season kicks off in Seoul with a two-game series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres on March 20 and 21, with both games starting at 7:05 p.m. In Korea, the matches will be airing on Coupang Play.

Seoul eagerly awaits the arrival of two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani from the Dodgers, along with the return of Gold Glove winner Kim Ha-seong and Padres pitcher Go Woo-suk who previously played for LG Twins.

Both the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres will face the Korean national team ahead of the Seoul Series. Additionally, the Dodgers will play against the KBO’s Kiwoom Heroes while the Padres will play against the reigning KBO champion, the LG Twins.

BY CHO JUNG-WOO [cho.jungwoo1@joongang.co.kr]