Seoul: Czech Republic national baseball team manager Pavel Chadim expressed his eagerness to capitalize on the upcoming exhibition games against South Korea in Seoul this weekend, as both teams prepare for the World Baseball Classic (WBC) next spring.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the Czech Republic and South Korea are set to face off in their opening game of the WBC in Tokyo in March 2026. However, they will have a chance to assess each other's strengths and weaknesses during a pair of exhibition games scheduled at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul.

Chadim, speaking during his pregame media session, acknowledged the unique situation of starting the WBC against South Korea. "A little crazy (fact) is that we start the WBC with Korea, but it's life, and we really appreciate that we are here," he stated, emphasizing the importance of these exhibition matches. Chadim hopes to replicate the team's performance from last year against formidable opponents like Japan and Taiwan.

The Czech Republic, considered an emerging baseball nation in Europe, gained attention during their WBC debut in 2023. The team is notable for having players with regular day jobs, including Chadim, who is a neurologist, and team captain Martin Muzik, a groundskeeper in the Czech league. Their roster also features an accountant and an electrician.

Muzik, an infielder with experience in the United States college baseball system, shared his passion for the sport. "I grew up playing baseball since I was 12 years old, and I've never played any other sport," he said. Despite the challenges of balancing work and practice, Muzik and his teammates strive to approach the game professionally.

Chadim humorously added, "I think about baseball every day, and I spend the most time in my life on baseball. But my family cannot know this," highlighting his dedication to the sport.