Warwick Saupold may just be the only Australian athlete currently plying their trade overseas in a professional league during the coronavirus pandemic.

Key points: COVID-19 has forced most sports leagues to put their seasons on hold

COVID-19 has forced most sports leagues to put their seasons on hold But the Korean Baseball Organisation is about to start its full season

But the Korean Baseball Organisation is about to start its full season Saupold plays for the Hanhwa Eagles in the South Korean city of Daejeon

While the global health crisis is forcing almost every professional sports league around the world into hiatus, the Korean Baseball Organisation (KBO) is ramping up.

The league has decided to start its full schedule on May 5, albeit without fans in attendance and on the condition there will be a three-week shutdown if a player or manager returns a positive test.

Saupold is a former US Major League Baseball pitcher with the Detroit Tigers and is currently in the city of Daejeon where he represents the Hanhwa Eagles.

The former Perth Heat player and Australian international representative told ABC Grandstand the KBO implemented several stringent biosecurity measures to ensure the season could begin.

"When I flew into Korea, as soon as I left the airport I came home, dropped my bags off and went straight to a drive-thru COVID test and got that done, so that was very unpleasant," he said.

The former Perth Heat player is playing professionally in South Korea despite coronavirus restrictions. ( Supplied: Perth Heat )

"When we get to the field there's a thermal camera set up and they take your temperature on arrival.

"Then you go about your business as normal because they've got a pretty good idea no-one is carrying anything.

"Then when we leave, [they] take our temperature.

"Apart from that, if we go out, go to the shops or go out somewhere, the next day they just want you to let them know where you've been."

Pre-departure marred by anxiety

The 30-year-old left Australia on March 26, when border closures were already in place.

He needed a special exemption to head to Korea and upon arrival was forced to spend two weeks in self-isolation.

Since then he has been able to live a relatively normal day-to-day life in Daejeon, where restaurants and cafes remain open.

The former Perth Heat player has admitted feeling anxious about returning to South Korea this year. ( Supplied: Perth Heat )

But getting to that point has not been easy, with Saupold conceding pre-departure anxiety almost got the better of him.

"There were just so many uncertainties. Am I going to get there? Am I going to get stuck? Am I going to get there and the season's not going to start?" he said.

"It was really hard on myself and my partner Georgia … it was really hard for me and took its toll for sure.

"The day I flew out was really testy … when I originally checked-in they said 'no, mate you're not allowed to go anywhere'.

"Luckily the boss from upstairs at Perth Airport came down and shot off a quick email and she got an instant reply and said I was good to go."

Saupold pitched in a spring training fixture against KT Wiz on Monday.

The Hanwha Eagles start their campaign against the same team, before a three-game series against SK Wyverns.

Despite the virus shutting down virtually all sporting codes worldwide, the KBO's plan is for each team to complete a full 144-game schedule.