The Nippon Professional Baseball Organization (NPB) has decided to enforce a new rule targeting batters who make “dangerous swings,” effective from May 12 for both the first and second teams. The decision was confirmed on May 11 during an executive committee meeting held in Tokyo with all 12 teams. Under the new rule, if a batter’s bat slips from their hands and directly strikes another person, the batter will be immediately ejected. If the swing is deemed dangerous but does not hit anyone, a warning will be issued. For repeat offenses in the same game—when the same batter commits a second dangerous swing—the batter will be ejected due to accumulated warnings.
The rule change follows an incident on April 16 at Jingu Stadium during a game between the Yakult Swallows and the DeNA BayStars. Yakult’s Jose Osuna’s bat slipped from his hands during a swing, striking home plate umpire Takuto Kawakami (30) in the side of the head. Kawakami was rushed to the hospital and underwent surgery on his head in the intensive care unit (ICU). Although he was moved to a general ward on April 30, he has not yet regained consciousness and continues to receive treatment.
In response to this injury, NPB began requiring all home plate umpires to wear helmets starting April 18.
◆ Full Text of the Penalty Regulations for Dangerous Swings
Baseball Rules Committee
A “dangerous swing” is defined as a situation where a batter, during a swing, fails to maintain control of the bat and releases it (including accidental slips) partway through the swing. Particularly, when the entire bat is directed toward another person, posing a serious risk of harm, it is classified as a dangerous swing, and the following penalties will be applied.
[Note] “Another person” includes offensive players, defensive players, umpires, base coaches, ball boys/girls, bat boys/girls, as well as dugouts, camera areas, and stands.
Penalties:
– When a dangerous swing occurs but the bat does not hit anyone: Warning
– When the same batter commits a second dangerous swing in the same game: Ejection
– When the entire bat is directed toward another person and unavoidably strikes them directly: Immediate ejection
Additionally, when the bat enters areas designated as dead-ball territory, such as dugouts, camera areas, or stands:
◇ Operational Guidelines:
(1) Attempted bunts are not included.
(2) When a bat flies toward a fielder along with a batted ball, and Rule 5.09(a)(8) [original note] applies, the batter is ruled out and also receives a warning for a “dangerous swing.” If the fielder is unavoidably hit, the batter is removed from the game.
(3) Regardless of intent or negligence, throwing a bat (including accidental slips) is extremely dangerous and shows a significant lack of safety awareness. Umpires must enforce this strictly to ensure batters’ safety awareness is thorough.
