South Korean Pitcher Is Up to Speed

Min-Tae Chung is one of the best amateur baseball pitchers in the world, a distinction that earned him a trip from Seoul to Los Angeles, where he will play in the 1991 World All-Star Baseball Game tonight at Dodger Stadium.

Chung, who pitches for the South Korean national team, is known for his fastball. But his velocity was a subject of confusion during a pregame workout, when one reporter claimed Chung’s fastball was clocked at 150 miles per hour.

The major league baseball average is 88 m.p.h.

“153 kilometers, “ Chung explained Friday at Dodger Stadium. That equates to about 95 m.p.h., which is still fast.

Chung is one of 22 players on the East team, which represents 12 countries in Europe, Asia, Africa, Oceania and Antarctica. The East will play the West team, which has 22 players from 15 countries in the Americas.

“It is a significant event because it allows exposure for countries that play baseball to be represented, “ said Rod Dedeaux, former baseball coach at USC and an ambassador of international amateur baseball.

“Regular competitions offer a smaller field, so only a few countries are represented.”

The game also offers an opportunity to see third baseman Omar Linares of Cuba, considered one of the best amateur players in the world.

Linares will play for the West, along with first baseman Dan Melendez of Pepperdine. The game is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.