``Only 3''
This is the number of home runs in this year's Senbatsu High School baseball tournament. This is the lowest number since metal bats were introduced in high school baseball. Just looking at this number, it can be said that the influence of the new metal bat with suppressed repulsive force is clearly visible.
On the other hand, it was a tournament that reminded us of the origins of baseball: how to score one point and how to prevent one point, and gave us a sense of the arrival of a new era.
(Yasuhiro Namimatsu, Koshien coverage team)
A new history at the 100th anniversary of Koshien and Senbatsu
Kendai Takasaki wins for the first time
The Senbatsu High School baseball game held at Koshien Stadium ended with Takasaki Health and Welfare University Takasaki (Gunma) winning their first prefectural victory.
This August, Koshien Stadium celebrated its 100th anniversary since its opening in 1924, and Senbatsu also celebrated its 100th anniversary since the first tournament was held, marking a new chapter in history.
[Click here for details] Senbatsu High School Baseball Kendai Takasaki wins first championship Gunma prefecture team's first spring
[Click here for details] Kendai Takasaki wins his first victory with uniform numbers “1” and “10” and “two signboards”
What attracted particular attention at this milestone tournament was the "new standard metal bat" that was introduced this year.
The main purpose was to protect pitchers from injury, and it was expected that the rebound force would be suppressed and the flight distance of batted balls would fall by 5 to 6 meters.
Once the tournament began, the impact was obvious, with all fly balls to the outfield stalling and weak ground balls flying repeatedly to the infield, so much so that "low-rebound bats" became a trending word on social media.
As a result, he only hit three home runs in 31 games.
Toyokawa Moiseyev Nikita
Two of the hits that went over the outfield fence were both hit by left-handed batters near the right field pole, and the remaining one was a running home run.
This was the lowest number since 1975, when metal bats were first introduced in the tournament.
Kamimura Gakuen Teruhiro Masabayashi player
《Home run of this tournament》
▽Moiseev Nikita (Toyokawa/Aichi)
▽Keruta Masabayashi (Kamimura Gakuen/Kagoshima)
▽Ryoyo Sakai (Osaka Toin/Osaka) *Running home run
[Senbatsu HR number after introduction of metal bat]
▽1975: 11
▽1984: 30 (Highest record/PL Gakuen Masumi Kuwata and Kazuhiro Kiyohara are active)
▽1992: 7 (Lucky zone removed)
▽1996: 5 (lowest record so far)
▽2022 : 18
▽2023: 12
▽2024: 3 (minimum after introduction of metal bats)
The runner on second base cannot reach home with “forward defense”!
There was also a major change in the defensive position of the outfielders.
In order to prevent the ball from going over the head, multiple players revealed that they took three or four steps forward to defend the ball.
Particularly in situations where a runner was placed on second base, forward defense became evident in order to prevent the runner from returning home on a single hit, and in some extreme cases, the runner was kept several steps away from the gap between the dirt in the infield and the grass in the outfield.
This made it difficult for the runner on second base to return home all at once on a hit, and there were a number of cases where the runner stopped at third base.
With no hope of a home run, “How do we score points?”
There is an impression that it has become difficult to score points due to a bat that doesn't fly, but when you look at the data, it actually hasn't changed much.
The average score per game was 7 last year, but this year it was 6.45.
None of the teams that made it to the top four had a home run throughout the tournament, but how did they accumulate points?
By analyzing these trends, we have found hints as to how we should compete in high school baseball in the future.
What changes the flow is “after all, long hits”
Kendai Takasaki, who won the match, had long hits such as doubles and triples at critical moments, completely changing the course of the game.
Kendai Takasaki Haruto Hakoyama Captain
All eight of his extra-base hits since the quarterfinals resulted in points, and most of them resulted in multiple points.
Kendai Takasaki Yujiro Takayama player
In the semifinals, he collected two extra-base hits in the seventh inning to come from behind and win.
In the final, we created a chance with a triple from a good pitcher and stole the winning point.
In addition to the team's mobility, which is synonymous with the team, the team's honed long-hitting ability was the driving force behind the victory.
Kendai Takasaki Director Hirofumi Aoyagi
Kendai Takasaki Manager Hirofumi Aoyagi: ``
We're worried about stealing bases, so it's not easy to run, so I think we need a variety of attacks.Even if the bat changes, if we get a long hit, the runners will move on and it will lead to points.'' Throughout the tournament, I once again felt that we can overcome disadvantages.”
Chuo Gakuin player Shinta Sosa
In addition, Chuo Gakuin (Chiba), who made a steady progress from their first win to making it to the top four, had an impressive 11 extra-base hits, the most of any participating school, and was impressive in their battle to take the initiative.
While each team struggled to cope with the metal bats and were unable to score as much as they wanted, I was once again reminded of the indispensability of long hits, which can change the game with just one swing.
“Feeding bunt” and “mobility” are the keys
On the other hand, Hotoku Gakuen (Hyogo), who finished as runners-up for the second year in a row, only had three long hits, but their attack shined by steadily advancing runners with the team's traditional mobility and tricks.
Hotoku Gakuen Ayumu Maki captain squeezes
He stole 10 bases in five games, and even in the final with two outs in the 9th inning, his pinch runner decided to steal a base at the last minute, when an out would have ended the game.He made every attempt at critical moments, and was successful.
Although he made 13 sacrifice hits such as bunts and squeezes, there was only one case where the player who attempted it was unable to advance the runner.
Junpei Yamaoka, Hotoku Gakuen player
: ``With the introduction of low-repulsion bats, I was thinking positively that ``our time has come.''
Kisora Fukudome, Hotoku Gakuen Player
: ``If I can get on base in any way and steal a base, it's the same as hitting two bases, and I've been working hard because I think I can create opportunities.The fact that I was able to play with almost no mistakes gives me confidence.''
“It gave me an opportunity to review my technique.” Players who used wooden bats
The introduction of new metal bats also gave players an opportunity to review their batting techniques.
Aomori Yamada Yudai Yoshikawa
Aomori Yamada (Aomori)'s No. 3 Rikusho Shima and No. 5 Yudai Yoshikawa became a hot topic of conversation by using wooden bats in all of their at-bats in this tournament.
The main reason was that I felt that a wooden bat would allow the ball to fly farther when it hit the core.
Among them, Houma had no hit in the first round, and he analyzed himself saying, ``I felt like my swing was stiff due to nervousness and it was difficult to get the bat out of the way.'' From the second round onwards, I made modifications such as reducing the weight of the bat by 20 grams.
The two players combined for 10 hits, including extra-base hits, in three games, making a major contribution to advancing to the top eight.
Players and coaches believe the real significance lies elsewhere, not in the use of wooden bats themselves.
“There were scenes where the bat broke” Aomori Yamada player Rikuto Uma
Aomori Yamada Rikusho Ima
: ``Using a wooden bat has led me to devise and reevaluate my own batting so that I can hit the ball with the center of the ball without pulling too hard.I would like to continue using wooden bats in the future. is"
Aomori Yamada Director Takaaki Kabutomori
: ``I was trying to correct any misunderstandings I had, but I learned more than I expected.The most valuable thing is that I thought about it on my own and worked on it, and completed it.'' I think there is.”
Returning to the origins of baseball
In this tournament, there were no games in which the lead was over by three points until the 9th inning, and there was no ``return'' in which the team that lost the lead once again turned the game around.
Tetsuya Kawarasaki, who has worked as a high school baseball commentator for 19 years, points out that as the weight of each point increases, returning to the basics of baseball will lead to victory.
Commentator Tetsuya Kawarazaki
: ``The basics of baseball are catching the ball with the center of the bat, being able to properly send bunts, and being able to use your mobility.Even on defense, there is no way to think, ``It's early in the game, so it's okay to score one point.'' The number may decrease. I think we will go back to the basics of baseball, which is how to score one point and how to prevent one point. History repeats itself. As it is now, the eras will begin to repeat."
High school baseball “enters a new era”
This year's tournament saw a sharp drop in home runs, which can be considered the crown jewel of baseball, and many said that ``high school baseball has become less fun.''
However, the words of Mr. Kawarasaki, who predicted the future of high school baseball by comparing it to the lyrics of the tournament song ``Ima Arite,'' are rich in suggestions.
There is a possibility that we will return to ``small baseball,'' which was once considered the specialty of Japanese baseball, and that involves mobility and tricks, and we will see more exciting developments.
On the other hand, with repeated training, some teams may be able to master the use of bats with reduced rebound and produce a large number of home runs.
I felt that the introduction of a new metal bat would be a step toward expanding the possibilities of high school baseball as we move towards the next 100 years.
[NHK special site] Senbatsu High School Baseball 2024