The Basic Structure of BP
NPB pre-game batting practice typically begins 2-3 hours before game time. The visiting team bats first, followed by the home team. Each team's BP lasts approximately 45 minutes to an hour, with players entering the batting cage in groups organized by batting order or position. BP pitchers are specialized staff who throw during practice. They sometimes mimic opposing pitchers' velocity and repertoire, serving as more than mere ball feeders. Batters use BP to assess their physical condition and fine-tune swings. Some veterans strictly manage their BP pitch count, deciding to 'stop after 20 pitches.' BP functions simultaneously as game preparation and as part of each player's individual routine.
Information Gleaned from BP
Observing the opposing team's BP is valued as part of scouting. Coaches and scouts carefully watch opposing batters' swing paths, hit directions, and body mechanics during BP. A batter consistently pulling balls in BP likely shows pull-hitting tendencies in games. BP ball flight distance and angle can also indicate batter condition - shorter-than-usual distances may suggest physical issues. However, some argue BP hitting and game hitting are fundamentally different, since BP pitchers throw softer pitches that do not directly predict game performance. Nevertheless, teams continue observing opponents' BP, reflecting the professional world's reality where even marginal information can influence outcomes.
The Psychological Effects of BP
Batting practice methodology varies by team. The Yakult Swallows emphasize first-pitch aggressiveness, drilling full swings on the first pitch during practice. DeNA BayStars actively integrate data analysis, measuring exit velocity and launch angle in real-time during sessions. MLB has standardized tracking systems in batting cages providing instant feedback on distance and spin rate. NPB teams increasingly adopted similar systems in the 2020s, though not yet universal. Another critical factor is batting practice pitcher quality. BP pitchers must throw fastballs, breaking balls, inside and outside pitches on demand, requiring command rivaling active pitchers. The presence of skilled BP pitchers contributes meaningfully to team batting performance improvement.
Books about NPB behind-the-scenes staff are also helpful
The Craftsmen Called BP Pitchers
BP pitchers supporting batting practice are indispensable behind-the-scenes figures in NPB. Their job is accurately and repeatedly throwing hittable pitches. The skill of consistently delivering specific speeds to specific zones is more demanding than it appears. Many former professional players transition to BP pitcher roles, leveraging their pitching experience. While BP pitcher salaries are lower than players', their contribution to teams is immeasurable. BP quality, which influences batter condition, depends on BP pitcher skill. Although pitching machine performance has improved, enabling reproduction of specific pitches and speeds, most batters feel 'human pitching is closer to game conditions,' maintaining strong demand for BP pitchers.
How Routines Create Reproducibility and Focus
Having a fixed routine in batting practice is important for enhancing batting reproducibility in games. By repeating a sequence of actions from the practice stage, including the number of practice swings before entering the box, regripping the bat, and adjusting foot position, players create a state where they can execute the same motions unconsciously during live at-bats. Ichiro's bat-extending gesture before at-bats and Hiromitsu Ochiai's intensive repetitive swinging to sharpen his feel are widely known examples. Routine establishment varies by individual; some players hit the same number daily while others adjust by the day. What matters is not the actions themselves but having a mechanism to enter a focused state through those actions, and routine-based BP functions as a psychological stabilization device.
Differing BP Design Philosophies Across Teams
BP design philosophy shows clear differences from team to team. The Seibu Lions traditionally emphasized swing volume, with periods of specifying daily swing counts for young players as a development policy. The SoftBank Hawks are known for their facility investments, equipping indoor fields with multiple machines and cameras to provide multifaceted feedback. The Hiroshima Carp value balance among hitting, defense, and baserunning, tending to allocate BP time equally with defensive and baserunning drills. Meanwhile, some teams clearly adopt offense-heavy policies, making time allocation itself a mirror reflecting team philosophy. When offense-oriented and pitching-oriented teams within the same league face each other, the difference in BP approach becomes visible from the stands, and observation becomes an enjoyment for fans to read each organization's direction.
BP on Non-Game Days and Self-Management
Batting practice takes different forms not only before games but also on off-days and travel days. On days without games, individual practice centers on cage work and tee batting, allowing players to focus on personal challenges. Pre-game group practice has time constraints that leave no room for intensive weakness correction, so form adjustments and experiments with new approaches are often done on non-game days. During the season, fatigue considerations lead many players to reduce their BP volume, while conversely it is not uncommon to see slumping batters staying after hours and accumulating a large number of swings. The purpose and intensity of BP differ significantly between game days and non-game days, and the self-management ability to balance both becomes the key to enduring a long season.