The best way to love baseball is enjoying it with others

Baseball Club Tumblers

On every Wednesday and Saturday, the school yard of the Catholic University of Korea is filled with the clamor of vigorous CUK students. They throw baseballs as hard as they can, swing their bats, and run and sweat. They are the members of the CUK Baseball Club Tumblers.

The passion of CUK baseball lovers is here
“The word ‘Tumblers’ gives you the idea that we give it our all when we play baseball. All the club members love baseball with a passion. The club emblem includes a dove, which is the symbol of the Catholic University of Korea. As a CUK baseball club, we enjoy our club activities with pride.”
Tumblers President Jeong Jin-yeong (Food Science and Nutrition, Class of ‘13) described their passion and pride. Tumblers only has a 10-year history. The baseball teams of CUK Schools used to play baseball separately. At first, they gathered together and began to simply enjoy baseball. That was the start of Tumblers. In 2009, Tumblers was registered as an official club. Although Tumblers started with only 10 original members, it now has 60 members including players and managers. Not only does Tumblers keep practicing baseball by themselves, but also it is entering various games with other teams. Tumblers has really grown as a CUK baseball club. In addition, they are actively interacting with Rollers, which is the baseball team consisting of CUK graduates. The two teams are building a friendly relationship through occasional baseball games.

Enjoying baseball in an atmosphere of freedom
“Tumblers is a baseball club where baseball lovers can enjoy baseball with light heart. We’re trying to creating an enjoyable atmosphere where the members can participate in club activities freely.”
Generally, many sports clubs put emphasis on strict regulations and a hierarchy. However, Tumblers is trying to maintain a horizontal relationship between juniors and seniors, and communicating with each other in an informal, friendly atmosphere. It’s the secret of their outstanding teamwork. Their unique atmosphere is shown in the member selection process as well. The most important criteria for selecting members is the passion and love for baseball, regardless of their baseball skills, gender, or age.
“All sports lovers like to win and want to achieve good results. However, the more important thing is loving baseball. We don’t mind if some members aren’t that great when it comes to playing. We are trying to create an enjoyable atmosphere for all members, instead of feeling pressure to win a game.” However, they never neglect practice, even in such an atmosphere of freedom. They encourage members to participate in practice voluntarily, instead of making practice compulsory. As all the members love baseball, they are participating in practice actively and keep developing their baseball skills. Above all, they are focusing on the basics of baseball during practice. They believe that they can reduce mistakes by focusing on the basics and don’t miss out on opportunities to hone their fundamental skills.

Enjoy true sports through a wide range of activities
Since four years ago when Tumblers was properly organized as a baseball team, it has been participating in the AUBL (Amateur University Baseball League), boasting a long history and tradition. Through the AUBL, Tumblers has been showing its passion for baseball.
“Some members worried that we might not have enough time for practice because of the league. However, we decided to participate in the league so as to develop and motivate ourselves through games with various teams.”
Last year, Tumblers made the top 8 in the AUBL. Since they had been strengthening their basics, step by step, all the members could enjoy and participate in this event together. The Catholic University of Korea does not have a college of physical education, which was considered as a shortcoming for Tumblers. It is also meaningful that they overcame this shortcoming by putting up a good show in the league. In addition to the AUBL, Tumblers has been getting a lot experience this year by participating in the 2018 Kyunghyang Shinmun-Inje Baseball Championships, etc. Last year, they were involved in some meaningful baseball activities with Areumdeuri Youth Baseball Club.

“We don’t think that winning a game equals fun. It may not be fun, even though you win. It can be fun, even though you lose. Tumblers will share great energy with others by participating in a variety of internal and external activities and enjoying baseball in a healthy way.”