The Samsung Lions, a prominent team in the KBO (Korea Baseball Organization) League led by manager Park Jin-man, have officially announced their decision to hold their annual preseason training camp in Guam for the second year in a row. The Lions returned to Guam in January 2025, eight years after their first camp in 2017. This year, the team is scheduled to arrive on the island on Jan. 23 and begin its training camp on Jan. 25.
The comprehensive preseason program will be conducted primarily at the Leo Palace Resort baseball field. Under Park’s direction, the Samsung Lions will focus on intensive physical conditioning, strengthening fundamental fitness, and enhancing team coordination and overall organization ahead of the upcoming season. The Guam camp will serve as a crucial phase for assessing individual player conditions, integrating new members and finalizing team strategies before the KBO regular season begins.
Guam continues to serve as an attractive location for professional sports organizations. Key advantages include the island’s year-round tropical climate, which allows for consistent outdoor training and minimizes weather-related disruptions. Geographic convenience, including a relatively short flight duration and a minimal one-hour time difference from Korea, further supports smooth physical and logistical adjustment for optimal player performance and effective preseason preparation. In addition, the island offers access to well-established training facilities and comfortable accommodations, allowing teams to maintain focus throughout the camp.
Régine Biscoe Lee, president and CEO of the Guam Visitors Bureau, expressed enthusiasm for the team’s return.
“Guam is honored to warmly welcome back the Samsung Lions for a consecutive year. Their repeated selection of our island as their preseason training home reflects our growing potential to effectively host international professional teams and provide the best only on Guam experience,” she said.
The Samsung Lions’ continued commitment to training on Guam reinforces the island’s reputation as a reliable and high-quality preseason destination. Professional baseball teams, primarily from South Korea’s KBO and Japan’s NPB (Nippon Professional Baseball), frequently use Guam for winter and spring training due to its warm weather, with the Lions, Lotte Giants, Kia Tigers and Yomiuri Giants among the notable regulars. Guam is strategically positioned to strengthen the intersection of sports and tourism, attracting more international professional athletic teams seeking efficient and stable training environments.
(Daily Post Staff)