Articles tagged with rules

The Power of Official Scorers - The Opacity of Hit-or-Error Rulings

In NPB games, official scorers hold the authority to judge whether a batted ball is a hit or an error. These rulings shape major performance metrics such as batting average, ERA, and earned runs. Yet the standards are not fully objectified, and many situations rely on the scorer's subjective judgment. We explain dispute cases over rulings, the ambiguity of the standards, the challenges of objectification, and the powers and responsibilities of the official scorer position.

Controversies Estimated reading time: 2 min

NPB's Double Motion Rule - The Evolution and Controversy of Pitching Form Regulations

NPB has long regulated pitching motions branded as 'double motion,' a topic of debate for over 30 years involving phases of stricter and looser enforcement. The rule aims to prevent unnatural deceptive deliveries but has wrestled with ambiguous adjudication and conflicts with international standards. The 2006 tightening and the 2011 liberalization marked major turning points. We trace the history of NPB pitching-motion regulation through controversy and globalization.

Rules & Systems Estimated reading time: 2 min

Evolution of NPB Roster Limits - How the Expansion from 25 to 31 Active Players Reshaped Lineup Tactics

NPB's active roster has long operated under a 28-player registration cap (with 25 players permitted to dress for a game). After the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic prompted balancing infection control with game operation, the cap expanded, and a 31-player roster has now taken hold. This evolution has reshaped bench tactics, the deployment of development-contract players, and the interplay with the farm system. We trace NPB's roster history from the regulatory side.

Rules & Systems Estimated reading time: 2 min

The History of NPB's Helmet Mandate - 40 Years of Batter Protection Shaped by Beanballs

NPB now mandates double-eared batting helmets, but reaching this standard required tragic beanball incidents and years of debate. From the helmet-less founding era of 1937, through optional helmet use postwar, single-eared helmet adoption, and finally double-eared helmet mandates, batter protection evolved in stages. We trace 40 years of NPB helmet history through the lens of accidents and rule changes.

History Estimated reading time: 2 min