Ranking the Stadium Experiences in the KBO

The Korean Baseball Organization, or KBO, is one of the top professional leagues in the world, and should be on anyone's list to visit. The KBO might be small, but what it lacks in size it more than makes up for in enthusiasm. The league is home to some of the most passionate fans in the world. Here they cheer, sing, and dance along with regular team cheerleaders during each game. They even invented the balloon noisemakers called "thundersticks" to help root on their team. Along with the great fans, the league is home to some of the best bang for your buck in baseball. Tickets are cheap, and concessions are even cheaper. Plus you can bring anything you want to eat or drink into the park which makes for an even better experience for the fans. The stadiums might not be MLB caliber, but the atmosphere more than makes up for it.

1. Munhak Baseball Stadium - Home of the SK Wyverns

   

   Munhak Baseball Stadium is home to the three-time Korea Series Champion SK Wyverns. The stadium, located in Incheon, is easily the nicest stadium in Korean professional baseball. It opened in 2002 and holds just short of 30,000.

2. Sajik Stadium - Home of the Lotte Giants

   

   The Lotte Giants might be the most popular baseball team in South Korea. Despite only having won the Korean Series twice (1984 and 1992), their fans are widely known as the wildest fans in the KBO. They started playing at Sajik Stadium, known as the Mecca for Korean baseball, in 1986.

3. Jamsil Baseball Stadium - Home of the LG Twins

   

   Jamsil Baseball Stadium was completed in 1982 and hosted Olympic baseball games (it was only an exhibition sport) when Seoul hosted the games in 1988. It has housed two professional teams since its gates opened in the LG Twins and Doosan Bears.

4. Jamsil Baseball Stadium - Home of the Doosan Bears

   

   Games in Korea always provide a great atmosphere since the fans are so enthusiastic. If you want a different experience, get there early and grab a seat behind where one of the cheerleaders will be. That way you'll be right in the thick of it all.

5. Mokdong Baseball Stadium - Home of the Nexen Heroes

   

   This is one of my favorite stadiums in Korea. It is small enough to allow you to get close to the action, but big enough not to feel small. It's definitely a place where you will want to see a game when in Seoul. So grab some friends, get some food, and come on out for a great time. You will not be disappointed when visiting Mokdong Baseball Stadium.

6. Daegu Citizen Stadium - Home of the Samsung Lions

   

   Daegu Baseball Stadium holds just under 14,000 and is one of the oldest stadiums in the country having been built in 1948. However, the Lions will have a new home in 2014 as the city of Daegu is building a new stadium.

7. Daejeon Hanbat Baseball Stadium - Home of the Hanwha Eagles

   

   The stadium is typical for one built nearly five decades ago in that it is just a concrete jungle with little to no character. However, it does have one feature that most stadiums do not. That interesting feature is that the concession stands are on the field side of the concourse. So if you need to get up and get a drink during the game, you won't miss the action on the field.

8. Mudeung Baseball Stadium - Home of the Kia Tigers

   

   The Kia Tigers are the equivalent of the New York Yankees of Korean baseball having won 10 of the first 29 championships. However, they play in one of the worst professional stadiums around.