By Lee Kyoung Mi, Yoon Hee Young, Yoon Che Ryung and Lee Jihae

Seoul | July 16, 2020

The Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) on May 5 opened its season under strong quarantine rules, while its counterparts in other countries such as the U.S. and Japan remained on hold due to COVID-19.

Over the 80 days since the Korean league opened its season, not a single player, coach or team staff has tested positive for the coronavirus as of July 23.

Each team said this is because all of its players – Korean or foreign -- and their families are strictly abiding by the quarantine measures.

Thirty foreign players are with the KBO this season, or three on each team. Their nationalities range from the U.S. and Canada to Venezuela, Cuba, Germany and Australia.

Of the 19 foreign pitchers in the league, Raul Alcantara of the Doosan Bears has been the best this season. A native of the Dominican Republic, he leads all pitchers with a 10-2 record as of July 23.

Winning his ninth game on July 15, he gave an interview the next day to Korea.net at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul.

Alcantara played for the Oakland Athletics of the U.S. Major League Baseball (MLB) before coming to Korea. On the difference between the KBO and MLB, he said, "Korea players are more tight-knit and united."

"The biggest upside is that everyone gets along like family regardless of nationality."

Alcantara is in his second year with the KBO. Unlike last season, he has received a lot support from his former MLB teammates and family as the U.S. sports channel ESPN has aired live KBO games due to the pandemic and the resultant delayed opening of the MLB season. 

Before this season began, Korea was considered the worst-hit country for COVID-19, yet Alcantara boldly decided to stay after getting used to the nation in his first year.

"At first, I was afraid as COVID-19 was widely spreading all over the world," he said. "Korea is responding well to the pandemic and thus I feel safer here than in any other country."

He is, however, sad over the ban on spectators at games.

Alcantara lived in Suwon last year with his wife and their three sons while playing for the KT Wiz. Moving to Seoul this year after signing with Doosan, he said not only has he perfectly adapted to life in Korea, but so has his family.

"Public amenities are nearby in Korea. I especially like the many places where my children can have fun and our family can spend time together such as Pororo Cafe (a play area for children), zoos or aquariums," he said.

"As long as my family is happy, I'm happy and want to play in Korea for a long time."

Alcantara has strongly recommended that former teammates playing in other countries come to Korea. He advised them that learning the "manners and respect" of Korean culture would be of huge help here.

km137426@korea.kr