A representative meeting of 12 professional baseball teams was held, and in response to a request for the event holding time due to the spread of the new coronavirus infection, it was decided that this season will be terminated after 9 times without an extended game.
The three prefectures in the Tokyo metropolitan area are demanding that the event be held until 9 pm even after the state of emergency is lifted on the 21st.
In response to such a request at the representative meeting of 12 teams held online on the 22nd, professional baseball will not be extended this season and will be discontinued in 9 times so that the game can be finished by 9 pm I decided that.
Regarding the possibility of review in the middle of the season, NPB = Nippon Professional Baseball Secretary-General Atsushi Ihara said, "Basically, this season is the target, but we will think flexibly according to changes in the infection situation in the future. It's a common understanding of the team. "
In addition, as a result of discussions with local governments, the night games that will be held in the Tokyo metropolitan area from the start of the season on the 26th of this month to the 17th of next month will be held at Jingu Stadium at 5:30 pm, and other games. It has been decided that the stadium will start the game earlier at 5:45 pm.
In addition, foreign athletes who have not been able to enter the country will be allowed to enter the country as a special case by canceling the state of emergency, and after taking strict epidemic prevention measures even during the 14-day waiting period, it will be possible to practice. We confirmed that each team would make a management plan for acceptance.
In the future, we will submit a written pledge to the relevant ministries and agencies regarding thorough management plans and epidemic prevention measures, and after obtaining approval for each athlete, we will begin the visa issuance procedure.
NPB Secretary-General Ihara said, "I don't think it's going to be an immediate entry. It's difficult to give a concrete picture of the prospects."
Overtime so far
The rules for extra time in professional baseball have been decided in various ways, but from 1994 for the Pacific League and 2001 for the Central League, there are 12 times with no time limit.
After that, in 2011 and 2012, as part of the power saving measures following the Great East Japan Earthquake, a special rule was introduced in which the extended game does not enter the next inning when the match time exceeds 3 hours and 30 minutes.
Last year, due to the spread of the new coronavirus infection, the extension was limited to 10 times in order to reduce the burden on athletes.
In last year's regular season, 60 of the 720 games in both the Interleague and Pa leagues were extended.
With the elimination of overtime, it is expected that there will be more draw games than usual.
47 foreign players have not entered the country
Due to the influence of the new coronavirus, 47 professional baseball players, more than half of the foreign players belonging to the 12 teams, have not yet entered the country, and it is certain that they will not be able to join the team by the start of the season on the 26th of this month. I am.
Of the 86 foreign players in the 12 teams, 37 have not been registered under control and 10 have been trained, for a total of 47.
Of these, 29 out of 32 new foreign players, including trained players, have not been able to enter the country this season.
By team, DeNA was unable to enter all 10 foreign players, including trained players, and Soto, who won the home run king for the second consecutive year, Austin, who hit 20 home runs last season, and relief. We will enter the season without the mainstay such as Escobar pitcher.
In addition, Seibu will be the opening pitcher Neil and Spangenberg, Nippon-Ham will be the eight-winning pitcher VerHagen last season, Orix will be the pitcher Dixon who was holding back until last season, and Softbank will be Valentin. Not done.
These foreign players will be admitted to the country as a special case following the cancellation of the state of emergency, but it is expected that they will be able to join the team after April, after a waiting period of 14 days at the earliest.
Lotte Iguchi "How to use players will change"
Lotte coach Tadahito Iguchi was discontinued in the 9th inning, and when asked if there was a change in the way players were appointed, he said, "Because I can see the back, how to use it will change. It's different from the case of 9 times, so we can send out more and more members. "
Director Yakult Takatsu "We will respond firmly"
Yakult coach Shingo Takatsu commented on the 9th censoring: "It's easy to do without an extension, but there is a lack of fun. There are only 9 chances of goodbye, and the appointment of players changes. It's most interesting to do until the game is over. I think it can't be helped. I think it's a professional to respond firmly according to the set rules. "
Seibu Tsuji "I'm worried about the pitchers, so we're a plus"
Seibu coach Hatsuhiko Tsuji said about the 9th censoring, "I think it's a plus because the pitchers are uneasy. You can use the winning pattern instead of leaving the pitcher thinking ahead. That's what it means because the end is visible. It's easy to do, "he said positively.
He added, "There will be more draws than ever before. So we have to make sure that we can win the match. If we think that the fighting style will end clearly in nine times, we have a decent hand."