Ulsan Swings: A multicultural baseball team built on sincerity and goodwill

The Ulsan Swings, a multicultural little league baseball team established in 2014, gathers every Sunday, embodying a spirit that extends far beyond the game itself. This team is not just about players hitting 160 km/h pitches or home runs like those seen in professional leagues. Instead, it represents a collection of individuals, regardless of their size or athletic ability, who fulfill their roles on the field to form a cohesive team.

The baseball field where the Swings play is a space filled not only with the thrill of victory but also with numerous ordinary stories. These narratives include unexpected mistakes, the frustration of losing games, and the simple yet profound value of spending time together. The team is composed of children and adults who cherish their time together, even when they don't perform exceptionally well.

Founded by police officer Oh Ju-won and social worker Lee Sang-min, the Ulsan Swings began with a simple yet powerful intention: to use their shared love for baseball to make a positive impact. Oh Ju-won, who sought to prevent crime by addressing the root causes rather than solely focusing on enforcement, and Lee Sang-min, who was concerned with the settlement support for women from immigrant backgrounds, decided to create the baseball team. They aimed to provide a supportive environment where these children could grow and connect through the sport.

Initially, the children, unfamiliar with baseball, would gather on Sunday mornings with sleepy faces, often swinging and missing. Their parents and guardians watched with bated breath, cheering them on without fail. The book, which chronicles the Swings' decade-long journey, is described as a "live broadcast" of their games. The author believes in the "heartfelt sincerity and goodwill" that players and spectators exchange on the field, extending beyond the boundaries of Ulsan and inspiring a vision of a nationwide expansion.