The Japanese Game
 

Sponsored by RobsJapaneseCards.com
 
 

The flavor and strategies of Japanese baseball differ from the American game.  This section is designed to provide some guidance on how to play baseball Japanese style.  For a better understanding of Japanese baseball I strongly recommend reading Robert Whiting's You Gotta Have Wa (available on the Book Page).  If you have any questions or suggestions, please email me at ochiai@mindspring.com.

Pitching
Prior to the mid-1970s, Japanese pitchers were used similarly to American pitchers during the Deadball era.  Teams usually relied on a handful of starters who were expected to finish, or come close to finishing, their starts.  Starters were also used as relief pitchers, although each team also had a handful of less effective pitchers who were usually used in relief.  Since the mid-1970s, Japanese managers began to use their pitchers closer to modern American managers.  As the Japanese teams usually get Mondays off, many teams use a six man rotation.  Setup men and closers are now a part of the Japanese game.

Sacrificing
Japanese managers are known for sacrificing a runner to second even in the first inning.  This strategy is often attributed to the Japanese belief that the first team to score usually wins the game.  Yet, a replay of an older season (such as the 1967 Japan Series) will show that the real reason is the unevenness of the Japanese teams.  Even on championship teams it was not unusual for lineups to include several players hitting below .240.  As a result, games were often low scoring and managers could not rely on consecutive hits to score runs.  Therefore, managers used the sacrifice to move runners into scoring position so that they could be knocked in with a single.  Although Japanese teams now have more balanced offenses, the propensity to sacrifice survives.

Ties
Perhaps the most unusual aspect of Japanese baseball for Americans is the tie.  Currently, in the Pacific League this occurred if the teams were knotted after the 12th inning.  Ties count in the final standings and all statistics are official.  This poses a special problem in APBA.  Any advice on how to end a game in a tie and still have the stats count would be appreciated.  In 1990, the Central League decided to lengthen the games to 15 innings before a tie is declared.  If a tie is declared, the game is replayed, so the stats from the tie game do NOT count toward official standings.  Prior to 1990, the Central League followed the rules now used in the Pacific League.

Micro Managers
For Japanese teams prior to 1975 use your favorite Deadball era manager.
For teams after 1975, Bill Stevens thinks that Jasper Nelson is the best fit.
 
 
 
 
 
 

Back to Main Page

Copyright Robert Fitts 2000