The Seattle Mariners’ closer Fernando Rodney said Thursday he will visit South Korea next week and meet with the Little League World Series championship team here.

Rodney is scheduled to meet with the 2014 Little League world champs from South Korea, whose players mimicked Rodney’s signature bow-and-arrow celebration during their 8-4 victory over Illinois in the final.

“I’m going to Korea because I feel really connected and supported by the Korean fans,” Rodney was quoted as saying on MLB.com. “Since I have arrived in Seattle, they have shown me so much love and I want to return the favor. I can’t wait to see the country in person and meet people there. For me, they have shown to be really good people and I love meeting good people.”

While in South Korea, the Dominican Republic-native will visit American soldiers on a military base and the Dominican Republic Embassy in Seoul.

The pitcher will also meet with players from Chungju Sungsim School, a school for the hearing impaired. (Yonhap)