ABS, pitch clock, defensive shift restrictions, base expansion What are the changed KBO regulations?

With the 2024 Shinhan KBO League exhibition game just one day away, regulations such as Automatic Pitching System (ABS), pitch clock (trial operation), and defensive shift restrictions have changed significantly.

Establishment of new replacement foreign player recruitment, formation of DH when weekend game is canceled, immediate replacement of pitcher when canceled due to rain, rule for pitcher to face three batters

Changes have been made, such as expanding the base size and recruiting replacement foreign players, and double headers are also being actively organized.

The referee’s ball-strike decision is replaced by the ABS tracking result. The introduction of ABS is an active measure to strengthen the fairness of judgment.

The KBO has been improving technical stability through a pilot operation of the Futures League ABS for four years since 2020. Afterwards, the final decision to introduce was made after a meeting of club management team leaders, a manager’s meeting, and resolutions by the advisory committee, executive committee, and board of directors.

The upper and lower standards of the S zone determined by ABS are set at 56.35% and 27.64% of the player’s height, respectively, and a strike is considered a strike only if it passes both the mid- and end-zone standards. The left and right standard is the size of home plate (43.18 cm), expanded by 2 cm on each side, for a total of 47.18 cm, and is judged once from the middle plane.

Accuracy is expected to improve from 91% before introduction of ABS to over 96%.

The pitch clock will be piloted in the first half of the year, and will focus on helping the players adapt and maintaining a smooth flow of the game rather than imposing sanctions for violations.

A pitcher must pitch within 23 seconds when there are runners on base and within 18 seconds when there are no runners on base. Violation of this will result in a ball. The batter must be ready to hit by the time the 8 seconds appear on the pitch clock. If this is not observed, a strike will be issued.

In addition, in order to prevent evasion of the application of the rule, ‘leaving the pitcher’s plate’, which is imposed when a pitcher takes his or her feet off the pitcher’s plate when there are runners, such as attempting to keep a check or pretending to throw a check ball, is allowed up to three times per at-bat.

During the pilot operation period, only verbal warnings will be given instead of ball and strike sanctions in case of violation, and the pitcher’s departure restriction rule will not be applied. Whether and when sanctions will be applied for violations will be confirmed later after a thorough review of the first half of the year’s operational results. In the Futures League, the pitch clock regulations, including sanctions for violations, are fully applied.

Defensive shifts are also limited.

At the time the pitcher pitches, the fielding team’s four fielders, excluding the pitcher and catcher, must be positioned inside the infield dirt. Two of these players must be on either side of the vertical divider based on second base. There is no limit to the participation of outfielders in infield defense, but no more than four outfielders may be deployed. If an infielder is not properly lined up when a pitch is made, the offensive team can choose an automatic ball or play result. 메이저사이트

During the exhibition game period, the number of plays subject to video review due to restrictions on defensive shifts will be expanded. The offensive team can request a review only if the infielder who touches the batted ball first or catches it commits a violation. The defending team can request a review of the referee’s decision that the defensive shift limit rule has been violated.

Both clubs can request an unlimited number of reviews regarding defensive shift restrictions.

The base size is also expanded.

The first, second, and third bases, which were previously 15 inches (38.1 cm) long on one side, have been expanded to 18 inches (45.72 cm). As a result, the straight line distance between home plate and 1st and 3rd bases decreased by 3 inches (7.62 cm), respectively, and the straight line distance between 2nd base and 1st and 3rd bases decreased by 4.5 inches (11.43 cm) each.

By providing more space for defenders and runners, it is expected to prevent injuries due to collisions near the base.

Double headers are also actively scheduled.

As the remaining game schedule increases every year due to an increase in games canceled due to rain, double headers are organized to ensure smooth operation of the league. If the Friday or Saturday game is canceled due to rain, etc., the game will be played as a double header the next day.

Double headers will be held from April, excluding the hot summer months of July and August. In the double header game that occurs at this time, two additional special entries can be used per team.

A system to recruit alternative foreign players was also introduced.

If a foreign player leaves the team due to a long-term injury, there will be difficulties in immediately supplying the player. Accordingly, a system to recruit alternative foreign players was introduced to resolve the power imbalance between teams.

If a foreign player suffers an injury that requires treatment for more than 6 weeks, the contract is terminated as before and a new foreign player is registered, or the player is listed on the rehabilitation player list and replaced without using the number of substitutions until the player returns. You can sign a contract with a foreign player and play in the game.

Existing foreign players registered as rehabilitated players can return to the league after at least 6 weeks, and if they return, the replacement foreign player must be replaced with another foreign player (one registration count will be deducted) or the contract must be terminated through waiver. The cost of hiring a replacement foreign player is limited to a maximum of $100,000 (about 130 million won) per month, the same as for existing replacement players.

There is also a provision to immediately replace pitchers in the event of a rain stoppage.

There is a rule that when a pitcher takes the mound, he must complete the pitch until the first batter is out or on first base before he can be replaced. If the umpire recognizes that there is a risk of injury to the pitcher due to the restart after a game suspension due to rain or other reasons, the pitch has been revised to allow replacement even if the pitch is not completed.

In the Futures League, a rule was also introduced for pitchers to face three batters.

A pitcher must face at least three consecutive batters, including the batter he was on the mound (including pinch hitters). You must pitch until three batters are out, get on base, or switch offense and defense.

If you take the mound in the middle of an inning and face one batter, you can be replaced when offense and defense are changed, but if you take the mound again in the next inning, you will have to face two more batters. This applies only to the Futures League in the 2024 season.

The referees use walkie-talkies. It was revised to use a radio that allows for smooth communication in the event of a decision situation. 슬롯