On May 12, officials from Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) and umpires visited the Hanshin Tigers’ bench at Jingu Stadium before the game against the Yakult Swallows to explain the new dangerous swing rule. Hanshin manager Akinori Fujikawa was among those informed during the bench discussion.
NPB representatives emphasized the importance of batter safety, stating, “We want batters to have a sense of safety awareness.” The new penalty regulations, which apply to all first and second division games starting from May 12, target dangerous swings that pose risks to catchers and other fielders. Penalties range from warnings to fines, and in severe cases, ejection from the game.
The rule aims to reduce injuries caused by follow-through swings, although some nuances, such as bat contact with a catcher’s head during follow-through, remain outside the current scope. NPB plans to monitor enforcement and may hold further discussions with all 12 teams to refine the rule.
Fujikawa received the explanation calmly from the bench, acknowledging the league’s effort to improve safety. The Tigers were playing the Yakult Swallows at Jingu Stadium on the day of implementation.
