Overview
The automatic intentional walk allows a manager to send a batter to first base simply by signaling the umpire, without the pitcher throwing any pitches. MLB adopted the rule in 2017, and NPB followed in 2018. Under the traditional intentional walk, the catcher would stand and set up far outside while the pitcher delivered four wide balls. This process carried a small but real risk of wild pitches or passed balls, and on rare occasions batters managed to hit the intentional ball - most famously Tsuyoshi Shinjo's walk-off hit on an intentional ball in 1999, one of NPB's most celebrated moments. The primary rationale for the automatic intentional walk is pace of play: eliminating the four-pitch sequence saves anywhere from a few seconds to several minutes per game. However, the rule has faced persistent opposition from those who argue it removes the tension inherent in the four-pitch sequence and the slim but dramatic possibility of a wild pitch or a swing. Some data also suggest that the frequency of intentional walks has increased since the rule change, raising questions about its tactical impact. Balancing pace-of-play improvements with the sport's intrinsic drama remains an enduring challenge in rule-making.