Mark Lippert, U.S. ambassador to Seoul, will be named an honorary ambassador for the top South Korean baseball league, its officials announced Thursday.

The Korea Baseball Organization said Lippert will be introduced as its honorary ambassador Saturday during its annual All-Star Game at KT Wiz Park in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, some 45 kilometers south of Seoul.

Lippert's love for baseball has been well-documented. Last fall, he attended a game during the Korean Series -- the KBO's championship final -- between the Samsung Lions and the Nexen Heroes in Seoul. Earlier this year, he threw out the ceremonial first pitch for the Doosan Bears, another Seoul-based club. He also traveled to Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province, about 400 kilometers southeast from the capital, to watch the NC Dinos in action.

In March, Lippert hosted KBO Commissioner Koo Bon-neung and other league officials for a reception at his residence.

"By naming Amb. Lippert our honorary ambassador, we hope South Korean baseball will be promoted around the world," Koo said in a statement. "We expect his appointment to help bring South Korea and the United States even closer through baseball."

At his ceremony on Saturday, Lippert will donate to the KBO a baseball autographed by members of the San Francisco Giants and the Kansas City Royals, the two World Series contestants from last year. (Yonhap)