KBO, introduced from the 2024 season
The Korean Professional Baseball League will change dramatically in the 2024 season. Following the introduction of pitch time restrictions (pitch clock) and the automatic ball-strike judgment system, the number of pitchers’ checks is also limited. Fans’ interest is growing as to what changes the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO)’s bold decision will bring to the 2025 KBO League.
The KBO held its 4th board of directors meeting on the 19th and decided to limit the number of pitchers’ checks, limit pitching time (pitch clock), and introduce an automatic ball-strike judgment system (ABS). KBO’s decision will be implemented starting with the first team games of the KBO League in the 2024 season.짱구카지노 주소
Among these, limiting the number of pitcher checks is a factor that can have a significant impact on changes in the defensive strategy of KBO League clubs. The KBO decided to limit the number of times a pitcher checks a runner or removes his foot from the pitching board to two per at-bat. The pitcher can make a third check, but if he fails to catch the runner, it is considered a balk and the runner gains one base.
This decision by the KBO is expected to have a significant impact on changes in the pitching style of KBO League pitchers. Pitchers who used checks to prevent runners from stealing bases can no longer overuse check balls. Pitchers are in a situation where they must not only speed up their pitching tempo but also improve their ability to tie up runners. On the contrary, batters are expected to be able to actively steal bases.
Limiting the number of pitcher checks and introducing a pitch clock are expected to play a big role in reducing the playing time of KBO League games. At the same time, the phenomenon of ‘high pitch low’ is expected to become noticeable in the KBO league as well.
Since the introduction of the pitch clock in Major League Baseball (MLB), game time has decreased significantly. The average MLB game time (based on regular innings) decreased by 24 minutes from 3 hours and 4 minutes last year to 2 hours and 40 minutes this year.
The KBO tried to set the average game time to 3 hours and 5 minutes this year, but the result was 3 hours and 12 minutes.