A timer installed next to the bench during Seibu’s February match against Kouhaku.
Photo by Sponichi
Professional baseball, which aims to speed up games, has managed to shorten the average playing time this season (just 9 innings) to 3 hours starting on the 25th, a reduction of 7 minutes compared to last season. Starting this season, batters will be changed within 30 seconds of the previous batter’s at-bat ending until the next batter is ready. The duration of featured songs was also limited to 10 seconds. We interviewed the players on the pitch to find out how they felt. (Professional Baseball Cover Team)
The average time for a batter change last season was 36.9 seconds. NPB data from last year showed that if the “30 seconds or less” rule had been followed, the game would have been shortened by approximately 6 minutes and 20 seconds, but starting on the 25th, the game was successfully shortened of 7 minutes. There are no penalties, but how do hitters feel about switching hitters within 30 seconds? Most of the comments were that it had no impact.
Before the season began, the Giants’ Matsubara was trotting out batting. “I didn’t want to prepare too much, so I tried to get to the batter’s box early,” he said. This is to prepare without reducing last year’s routine. However, he said, “It didn’t affect me as much as I expected, so I took it as normal,” and approached his bat after the opener.
Softbank’s Yamakawa also said, “I’m one of the first to enter the batter’s box, so it doesn’t bother me,” while Chunichi’s Nakata also expressed his thoughts, “I’m not conscious of it.” I’m well prepared before I step into the batter’s box.” Lotte Yamaguchi also said, “It hasn’t affected me at all. My routine hasn’t changed.”
During February’s game against Kouhaku, Seibu set up a timer next to the bench and counted down from 30 seconds. Coach Hiraishi confirmed that his routine had not been changed, saying, “Until now, we could do things like slow down the spray after the hitter in front of us got out. If we sped up this process, we could do everything.” in 30 seconds. ” he confirmed that his routine was not affected. He was left to the rhythm of each batsman.
On the other hand, Yakult’s Nakamura called for “being respectful” towards umpires, urging players to quickly enter the batter’s box when switching offense and defense. Receivers take time to prepare, including removing their protective clothing. “There are times when he comes in with a short run or takes his turn at bat without taking a (practice) swing. I hope he responds flexibly.”
Many players felt that the game progressed quickly from the start of the song within 10 seconds. Giants player Sugano said after his first pitch this season, “As soon as the batter got out, the opening song came on.” As Seibu’s catcher, Koga says, “I feel like the opening songs are too short. The game ends too quickly.”
However, soon after the show opened, negative opinions emerged regarding the time limit for the songs presented. Many players had doubts about the performance, which seemed exhausted.
Nishikawa of Yakult regretted it, saying, “It’s so fast. The featured song is only 10 seconds long. For me, the songs make me feel good. The song is over before I even started tapping.” While he doesn’t create a rhythm for his turn at bat that matches the song, there is a psychological change.
Kazu Tanaka of Rakuten said that this would not affect the joke, but commented from a fan’s perspective, “I think the audience will enjoy the songs that appear. Some of the audience might feel a little lonely.” Nippon-Ham’s Hosokawa expressed his feelings on the players’ side, saying, “People who are familiar with the songs presented may find it strange.”
Until last year, when it wasn’t always possible to keep the performance within 10 seconds, some players would narrate the performance part by saying, “I want it to play from here to here.” In one case, a player was so demanding that he told the team, “If it only lasts 10 seconds, I don’t have to play anymore.”
▼Giant Hagio (his joke) has no effect. However, I feel a little lonely.
▼Seibu/Tonosaki (The song that appears is cut in half) Well, I guess there’s nothing we can do about it…
▼Nippon Ham/Tsuyoshi Matsumoto I don’t particularly care.
≪I am grateful for the increased pace; tactics and fatigue recovery not possible≫[Voce del lanciatore]What do pitchers think about “batter changes being allowed within 30 seconds”? Seibu’s Sumida is aware of pitching at his own pace without adapting to the batsman and says: “There were some players who were slow to come to bat, so I would appreciate it if they could come in quickly.” One player analyzed the situation by saying: “Not Is it painful to be a substitute?” This is because middle bowlers often use the “break” to negotiate with batsmen. Some bowlers use the time between batsmen to recover from fatigue. Seibu player Masuda, who made a total of 194 saves, he said: “I’m not worried yet, it will happen gradually. I would like to pay attention to how it will affect the season.”
≪Compensated with a capella: “It’s fun.” Voices and sounds are “busy.”≫[Commenti dei fan]Fans had mixed opinions. Until last year, Giant’s Takashi Oshiro played the chorus of “Ato Hitotsu (FUNKY MONKEY BABYS)” for nearly 30 seconds. This season, during the interrupted second half, fans in the stands sing “Ano Sora e” a cappella. A woman in her twenties said with a smile, “Everyone can have fun together, so it’s new and fun.” On the other hand, a man in his 30s expressed regret, saying, “Even when the fans scream after a hit or a home run, the next song to play plays and overlaps their voices. It’s so busy.” Some people have said, “Maybe there’s something else that needs to be cut.”
“The battery change should be done within 30 seconds.” At an owners meeting last November it was decided that this would be enforced. Although it is not a written regulation, it exists as a guideline for operation. No penalties will be given and the aim is to reduce the time from last season’s average of 36.9 seconds. According to NPB data from last year, respecting the 30-second interval between batters would shorten the game by about 6 minutes and 20 seconds. Commissioner Sadayuki Sakakibara commented on the 3rd, saying, “It feels very different. It feels like it’s more agile.”
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