Hanshin Tigers Pitching History - The Ace Lineage and Evolution of a Pitching Kingdom
Examining hanshin tigers pitching history - the ace lineage and evolution of a pitching kingdom in depth, covering showa-era aces - murayama and enatsu throu..
Articles tagged with statistics
In a Three-Hour Baseball Broadcast, the "Time the Ball Is Moving" Is Only 18 Minutes
A professional baseball game lasts about three hours. But if you measure the "time when play is actually moving," from the moment the pitcher starts the delivery until the batted ball has been handled, it is surprisingly short. What is the rest of the time used for? This article uses numbers to expose what baseball's "ma" (pause) really is.
Which Is the "Most Idle Position" in a Pro Baseball Game - The Truth About How Often Outfielders Handle Batted Balls
A pro baseball game lasts about 3 hours. During that time, outfielders actually handle batted balls surprisingly few times. Left and right fielders in particular sometimes get only a handful of chances to touch a batted ball in a single game. We examine with numbers what the most idle position is really like.
The Statistical Miracle of the Perfect Game - Dissecting 16 "Near-Zero-Probability Coincidences" in NPB History
Only 16 perfect games have been achieved in NPB history. How likely is it that a pitcher retires 27 batters without letting a single one reach base? This article examines the statistical miracle of the perfect game by breaking down on-base percentage, defense, and the element of luck.
The Conditions for a "Winning Pitcher" Are Absurd - The Contradictions and Unfairness of the 5-Inning Rule
The condition for a winning pitcher is that "the starting pitcher must pitch 5 innings or more." This rule, however, is an absurd system that hands out wins regardless of how much a pitcher actually contributed. A pitcher can become the winning pitcher even after allowing 10 runs in 5 innings, while one who holds the opponent scoreless for 4 2/3 innings cannot. This article examines that contradiction.
Why the Pinch-Hit Specialist Disappeared from NPB - Reading the Decline of a Dying Art in Numbers
NPB once celebrated pinch-hit specialists as clutch heroes. Players like Takai Yasuhiro and Hiyama Shinjiro built careers around a single at-bat. Today, the pure pinch-hitter has all but vanished, replaced by utility players and bullpen-heavy rosters.
Ballpark Effect Analysis - Park Factors and Their Impact on Performance
An analysis of park factors across NPB stadiums, examining how ballpark characteristics affect batting and pitching performance. This article compares features of major venues including Tokyo Dome, Koshien, and Jingu Stadium.
The Evolution of NPB Batting Statistics - The Juiced Ball Controversy and the Unified Ball
A detailed exploration of the evolution of npb batting statistics - the juiced ball controversy and the unified ball, spanning the hitter-friendly era - the ..
Draft Success Rate Analysis - Comparing Player Development Across NPB Teams
An analysis of NPB draft pick success rates by team. This article examines retention rates for high and low draft picks, the rise of development-track players, and the correlation between scouting and player development.
Statistical Analysis of Home Advantage in NPB
A statistical examination of home advantage in NPB. This article analyzes home winning percentages by team, differences between dome and outdoor stadiums, and the correlation with attendance figures.
How Many Baseballs Are Used in One NPB Game - Tracking the Life Cycle of a Game Ball
The number of baseballs consumed in a single NPB game far exceeds most fans' expectations. Foul balls, dirt, scuffs, and home runs all remove balls from play. This article tracks the life cycle of a game ball from factory to final destination.
Lotte Falls Below .500 for the First Time in Franchise History - Only Hanshin Has Never Had a Losing All-Time Record
On April 8, 2026, the Chiba Lotte Marines fell below .500 in their all-time record for the first time since their founding in 1950. This leaves the Hanshin Tigers as the only team among all 21 NPB franchises, including defunct ones, to have never had a losing career record.
Structural Analysis of Left-Handed Batting Advantage in NPB
Examines the structural advantages of left-handed batters in NPB through data analysis, covering distance to first base, pitcher handedness ratios, and stadium asymmetry.
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.
Why Scoreboards Display 'H E' in That Order - Tracing the Origin of Baseball Score Notation
Baseball scoreboards display R, H, and E: Runs, Hits, and Errors. Why these three statistics, and why in this order? The answer reflects 19th-century baseball philosophy about what matters most in the game.
Why Switch Hitters Are Going Extinct - The Vanishing Art of Batting From Both Sides in NPB
NPB once featured numerous switch hitters including Kazuo Matsui. Their numbers have plummeted in recent years. This article examines the structural factors behind the decline through data and developmental changes.
Weather and Game Cancellation Statistics - The Impact of Domed Stadiums
An analysis of weather-related game cancellation statistics in NPB, examining the impact of domed stadiums on game operations. This article compares cancellation rates between outdoor and domed venues, correlates regional rainfall patterns, and considers the multifaceted effects on revenue.
Hanshin Tigers Batting Order Evolution - From Fierce Tiger Lineup to Connected Baseball
A detailed exploration of hanshin tigers batting order evolution - from fierce tiger lineup to connected baseball, spanning 1985 fierce tiger lineup - the de..
Attendance Trends Analysis - Long-Term Trends by Team and League
NPB attendance peaked at 26.54 million in 2019. This analysis examines team-by-team disparities, dome stadium effects, and the post-pandemic recovery through statistical data.
The Science of Pitch Framing - How Catchers Influence Umpire Calls
Examines pitch framing in NPB through data analysis, measuring how catchers' mitt manipulation influences umpire calls and the adoption of framing metrics.
The Evolution of NPB Pitching - An Analysis of Velocity, Breaking Balls, and Specialization
NPB pitching evolved from 1950s complete-game aces to modern specialization. This traces how velocity increases, pitch diversity, and data analytics accelerated the transformation.
Statistical Analysis of Stolen Base Decline - Changes in Baserunning Tactics
NPB stolen bases have declined since the 1980s peak. This statistical analysis examines improved pickoff moves, catcher throwing, and sabermetric reassessment of baserunning value.
How Often Does Nothing Happen in an NPB Inning - The Probability of Three-Up-Three-Down and the Science of Boredom
How often does an inning end with three batters retired in order? The frequency of 'nothing happening' reveals the hidden structure of baseball's rhythm between action and stillness.
The Dome Run Phenomenon - Examining Tokyo Dome's Home Run Inflation
A comprehensive examination of the 'Dome Run' phenomenon unique to Tokyo Dome, analyzing why home runs are inflated through park factors and physical conditions.
An RBI Without Swinging the Bat - The Curious Statistics of the Bases-Loaded Walk
A bases-loaded walk awards the batter an RBI without ever swinging. With the no-pitch intentional walk, a batter can now earn an RBI without even standing in the batter's box. This article explores the paradoxical statistics surrounding the bases-loaded walk.
The Koshien Advantage - Analyzing the Hanshin Tigers' Home Field Edge
An in-depth analysis of the koshien advantage - analyzing the hanshin tigers' home field edge, exploring sea breeze and park factor and coexistence with high..