It is expected that the ‘Otani Rule’ will be introduced next year in the Japanese professional baseball (NPB).

Japanese sports media ‘Sports Nippon’ said on the 13th, “In the NPB Pacific League designated hitter system, it is known that the introduction of the so-called ‘Otani Rule’ next year, which allows starting pitchers to continue playing as a designated hitter even after being replaced, is being considered.” On this day, it will be discussed at the joint professional and amateur baseball rules committee.

The ‘Otani Rule’ is a new rule introduced in the major leagues this year. Until now, in the American League, which has a designated hitter system, the designated hitter had to be extinguished in order for the pitcher and hitter to play at the same time. However, in order to make it easier for Ohtani to double as a pitcher, the Major League changed the rules this year so that the starting pitcher can change his position to the designated hitter even after being replaced and continue to stand at bat.

Japan does not have a designated hitter system in the Central League, but there is a designated hitter in the Pacific League. The above media said, “Currently, there is no pitching player like Ohtani in NPB, but if this rule is introduced, the possibility of amateur players aiming to become pros in the future will expand. said. 메이저사이트

The reason why the above media predicts the adoption of the ‘Otani Rule’ by NPB next year is that Japanese official baseball rules often reflect major league rules a year late. When the home collision prevention rule was officially applied to the major leagues in 2015, NPB introduced it in 2016, and after the intentional walk rule was newly established in the major leagues in 2017, it was accepted in 2018.

The ‘Ohtani Rule’ has not yet been discussed in the KBO League, which has a designated hitter system. Kiwoom Heroes is currently having pitcher Jang Jae-young, who has been dispatched to Geelong Korea in Australia, stand at bat, and Kim Gun-hee, a rookie in 2023, is considering a position as both pitcher and catcher are available. If the KBO league accepts the ‘Otani rule’ like the NPB, it seems that Kiwoom will be the beneficiary.