The Samurai Japan team held a practice match against SoftBank, winning 13-3 as they prepare for the WBC in March, while players navigated the new pitch clock rules.
On March 22nd, the Japanese national team, Samurai Japan, played a practice match against SoftBank as part of their preparation for the World Baseball Classic (WBC), which is set for March. The national team showcased a strong performance, achieving a significant 13-3 victory, albeit ending the game early due to rain after the seventh inning. This match allowed players to adapt to the practical implications of new rules, such as the pitch clock, as they prepare for the upcoming international tournament.
The focus of this practice match was on the new pitch clock rule that mandates pitchers to begin their delivery within 15 seconds, or 18 seconds if there are runners on base. Pitchers like Sogaya, Ito, and Miyagi displayed various approaches and struggles with this timing. Sogaya was noted for often waiting until there were only 1 or 2 seconds left on the clock to pitch, while Ito admitted to initially being overly concerned about the timing but gradually found a rhythm. Miyagi received feedback about releasing the ball too quickly and was advised to improve his timing to allow for better execution during the match.
Pitching coach Yoshimi emphasized the importance of adjusting to this new pressure, stating that players must enhance their ability to execute their motions with this countdown in mind. The situation also challenged batters like Kondo, who demonstrated the importance of maintaining awareness and not being rattled by the pitch clock. The game's dialogue highlighted that the players, both pitchers and batters, will need to leverage imagination and adaptability as they navigate this new playing environment at the WBC.
