Anchor: U.S. Ambassador to Seoul Mark Lippert has appeared on KBS's sports channel to give his two cents on the year's regular baseball season and the upcoming postseason. Giving his analysis in Korean, his passion for the game could not be hidden. 
Kim Bum-soo has more.

Report: After briefly getting touched up in the makeup room, Ambassador Mark Lippert walked into the KBS N Sports studio.

He looked nervous but as the baseball show began, Lippert gave out his analysis in fluent Korean.

[Sound bite: U.S. Ambassador to S. Korea Mark Lippert (Sep. 27 KBS N Sports 'I Love Baseball' / Korean)]
"두산, NC, 넥센 아주 경기 잘했어요. 한화이글스 처음에 꼴찌였지만 포기하지 않고 계속 노력했어요." [Doosan and Nexen did really well. Hanhwa Eagles was the last but they never gave up.]

Asked who will be the winner of the wildcard matchup between the LG Twins and Kia Tigers, he presented a higher assessment for LG.

[Sound bite: KBSN baseball show host (Korean)]
"LG와 기아가 와일드 카드 결정전에서 붙을 가능성이 높은데 어느팀이 준플레이오프에 출전할까요?" 

[Sound bite: U.S. Ambassador to S. Korea Mark Lippert (Sep. 27th KBSN Sports / Korean)]
Translator: "Very difficult question for you Mr. Ambassador..."
Ambassador Lippert: "이해 했어요. 너무 어려워요. 내 생각에는 'LG is hotter!' 아마도 내 생각에는 LG가 이길꺼예요"  [I got it. It's a difficult question. But I think LG is hotter. I would think that LG will win.]

Lippert was a baseball player when he studied at Stanford University. Now he is immersed in Korean baseball. 

[Sound bite: ceremonial pitch at Doosan-Lotte match (Apr. 18, 2015)]

As an honorary ambassador for the Korean Baseball Organization(KBO), he has thrown several ceremonial first pitches. He's also been frequently seen at ballparks alongside Korean fans.  

[Sound bite: U.S. Ambassador to S. Korea Mark Lippert (English)]
"The biggest difference [between American and Korean baseball] is, you know, the exciting fan culture here in Korea but if you want the true fan experience here in Korea, you have to sit with fans."
"I tried to share some of the good memories with the Korean people, like giving out balls." 

Lippert was appointed to the ambassador post in late 2014.

The Doosan Bears fan stressed that public diplomacy involves reaching out into the culture of the country. 
Kim Bum-soo, KBS World Radio News.