Busan & Gyeongnam Fans Fuel Pro Baseball Surge, Setting Attendance Records
Busan, South Korea – A fervent wave of support from fans in Busan and the Gyeongnam province is driving record attendance and electrifying atmospheres at professional baseball games, becoming a defining characteristic of the 2023 season. The enthusiasm surrounding the Lotte Giants and NC Dinos has contributed to professional baseball exceeding 10 million spectators in the shortest period ever recorded.
Ahead of a recent weekday home game at Busan Sajik Stadium, the grounds were already packed with Lotte Giants supporters. The energy builds with the rhythmic pounding of a massive drum, prompting tens of thousands of fans to chant the name of the starting pitcher. Despite periods of challenging team performance, Lotte fans remain steadfast in their support, mirroring the passionate spirit of Busan itself.
“I need to come. I have to quit the losing losing,” said Lotte fan Park So-hyun, reflecting the unwavering dedication of the fanbase.
lotte’s unique cheering culture, a vibrant mix of conventional newspaper cheering, orange vinyl headwear, and increasingly innovative displays from younger fans, is a hallmark of the Sajik Stadium experience. A distinctive shout of “Don’t! Don’t!” erupts when opposing pitchers attempt to pick off runners, disrupting their momentum.
“Lotte fans are really great,” commented KNN professional baseball radio broadcasters Lee Kwang-gil and huh Hyung-beom. “it’s great.”
The impact extends beyond home games. Gamboa, a Lotte Giants player, noted, “We always feel like giving an adventure as we play at home every time we go to the away game, and we have a good effect on our performance.”
This season, cumulative home game attendance for the Lotte Giants has surpassed 1.2 million, with 40 out of 61 games sold out. The fervor has even garnered attention from international media, with West Japan Newspaper reporter Maruta Mizuho observing, “The sound of cheering is big and the dance is fun from the beginning to the end, and the dance is fun together.”
Meanwhile, in Changwon, NC Dinos fans are equally renowned for their passionate displays. The sounds of “Masan Street,” the team’s signature cheering song, and the official anthem “Fans are Ringing” fill the stadium. The remarkable sight of tens of thousands of Dandy cheering rods waving in unison has become a defining feature of NC games.”I want you to support me a lot, and I will do my best to support baseball until it is cold,” said NC Dinos fan Park Gun-woo.
The unwavering support of Lotte and NC fans is widely credited as a key factor in the overall success of professional baseball this year, driving record attendance and creating an unparalleled atmosphere for players and fans alike.