Bend man playing pro baseball in S. Korea during pandemic

By Nick Krupke, KPTV

BEND, Ore. (KPTV) – While Americans wait for team sports to return, the Korean Baseball Organization has already said play ball.

Dan Straily, a Lotte Giants pitcher, lives in Bend.

“I’m one of the only Americans playing baseball professionally right now, which sounds strange to say,” Straily said.

Busan, South Korea was home to Straily’s first Korean baseball experience.

“I thought I was coming over here to reinvent myself, if you will,” Straily said. “Re-hone in on my craft and show the baseball community that I was the same pitcher that I have been for the last decade.”

Raised in Pendleton and Springfield, Straily calls Bend home in the off-season, but the 144-game KBO season is on now for the bearded righty from Oregon.

“We had a three-month spring training,” Straily said. “Never-ending spring training. It felt like Groundhog Day. Much like everyone back home is going though right now.”

Read more and watch the story on KPTV's website.