Участник:"Now it's a defensive range fight"
ABS is based on the accuracy of the machine. Pitch Clock is a pilot operation in the first half of the year, so there is a lot of time to adapt. Due to the defensive shift limitation, the individual skills of infielders will become important.
Until last year, most teams had three infielders between the first and second bases when left-handed hitters with many pullbacks were seen. In some cases, third or shortstop stood in the outfield section between the first and second basemen. In contrast, three infielders were stationed between the second and third bases against right-handed hitters who often pullbacks. Some teams also made aggressive defensive shifts by changing their defensive positions based on ball count.
However, due to defensive shift restrictions, a pitcher must have two infielders on both sides of the second base before he or she pitches. It is forbidden to assign three infielders to one side based on the second base. In addition, the position of an infielder must not deviate from the infield dirt. Second baseman's outfielder can no longer be seen standing on the field turf.
It is possible for outfielders to come into the infield and defend. The center fielder can stand on the second base and five infielders can defend closely. In the bottom of the ninth inning, an outfielder can come into the infield and play extreme defense.
Regarding the ban on defensive shifts, defending champion LG manager Yeom Kyung-yeop said, "I think it's a little advantageous for Yuri to reduce shifts in both infield and outfield from the defense side. I think our team's defense range is at the top of the 10 clubs, and I think it's all at the top."
"Now it's a fight over the range (due to the ban on defensive shifts). From the moment individual shifts are regulated, it becomes a fight over individual players' ability," he said. "Overall, pitchers' ERA will slightly increase."
LG has strong defense centerline. Shortstop Oh Ji-hwan, second baseman Shin Min-jae, and center fielder Park Hae-min are among the best in the league. All three players are fast-footed and have a wide range of defense. Three players from Oh Ji-hwan, Park Hae-min and Hong Chang-ki (right wing) won the KBO Defensive Award, which was newly established last year.
Players have also expressed confidence in banning the shift. "From a batter's point of view, I personally think it will be better for me. In terms of defense, I think it will be advantageous for players with a wide range of defense. I think it will be advantageous for our team. There are many players with a wide range of defense. The center line is strong, with (Park) Hae-min and me, (Shin) Min-jae and (Park) Dong-won."
Shin Min-jae, who became the starting second baseman last year after stabilizing his defense capability, said, "I think I can see the scope of individual defense. I am confident in the scope of defense."
After the pitcher throws the ball, the infielder can move freely. A third baseman or shortstop is allowed to stand next to the second base, and a pitcher is allowed to move between first and second bases after throwing the ball. It is also possible for the infielder to move to the outfield grass after the pitch.
However, disputes could arise over whether an infielder has moved in advance right before a pitcher throws the ball. The KBO also plans to include this case in its video review.
If the position of an infielder violates the shift ban when pitching, the offensive team can choose the automatic ball or the batting result. For example, if a shortstop moved over from the second base to the first base before a pitcher threw the ball, and a batter's ball was grounded out to the second base, he or she could choose an automatic ball to hit again. If a batter's ball became a hit, he or she can choose the batting result (hit) and continue the game.
Meanwhile, the extreme pull style hitters Kim Hyun-soo (LG), Kim Jae-hwan (Doosan), Oh Jae-il (Samsung), and Choi Joo-hwan (Kium) are expected to increase their production of hits due to the ban on defensive shifts. Until last year, they were often out after being caught in defensive shifts between the first and second bases.
Choi Joo-hwan said, "When I heard that defensive shift was prohibited, I called for hurrah. His batting average has decreased over the past three years when defensive shift has been widely used. Last year, nearly 20 hits were caught by shift," he protested.