Japan Coach Takes Two Line Drives in Spring Training Opener!

Third Base Coach on Receiving End of Two Hard Shots in Japan’s Opener

Spring training is underway, and while the bats are cracking and the pitchers are warming up, one unexpected storyline is emerging from Japan’s early games: their third base coach is proving to be quite the target. In a rather bizarre turn of events during their recent contest, the third base coach found himself on the receiving end of not one, but two errant batted balls, highlighting a potential new hazard for coaches under MLB’s evolving rules.

A Close Call and a Repeat Offense

The first incident saw a line drive rocket towards the third base box. The coach, caught slightly off guard, managed a quick reaction, narrowly avoiding a serious headshot. As the ball whizzed by, his eyes widened, a mix of surprise and relief palpable. “Oh, sorry, coach,” was the immediate, albeit likely understated, sentiment from the dugout. The play, while startling, was met with some amusement from the Japanese contingent, including star player Shohei Ohtani and the manager, who found humor in the coach’s agility and the fact that no serious injury occurred. However, the coach himself was clearly not pleased about the situation.

Remarkably, the very next batted ball in the game headed in the same direction. This time, the coach was perhaps more prepared, or perhaps simply unlucky, as the ball made contact, albeit slowly, with his left hand before he calmly tossed it back into play. The message was clear: third base coaches, prepare yourselves. The days of leisurely signaling runners might be over, replaced by a constant need for vigilance.

New Rules, New Dangers?

This unusual occurrence comes on the heels of Major League Baseball’s recent rule changes regarding the positioning of first and third base coaches. The league has implemented new guidelines, restricting where coaches can stand, primarily to prevent them from signaling pitches to the batter. While the intention is to maintain the integrity of the game, the practical implication is that coaches might find themselves in closer proximity to the line of fire.

As one observer noted, “MLB just changed their rules about where the third base and first base coaches can stand because they don’t want him tipping pitches to the batter. I think we’re going to see a lot of this.” The ball that hit the coach in the first instance wasn’t even hit particularly hard, suggesting that as the power hitters ramp up their game in the lead-up to the regular season, coaches could be facing significantly more dangerous projectiles.

What This Means for the Season

The implications of these new rules and the resulting close calls are significant. Coaches will need to develop quicker reflexes and a heightened awareness of their surroundings. The days of leaning against the railing or casually conferring with runners might be replaced by a more dynamic, on-your-feet approach to coaching third base. This could lead to more action, more unexpected moments, and perhaps even a few more bumps and bruises for the men in the coaching boxes.

While the incidents involving Japan’s third base coach were, thankfully, not serious, they serve as a stark warning. “Coaches are gonna have to be on the ready. Otani, he finds it funny. He’s laughing. The manager is laughing because it wasn’t that bad. He didn’t get hurt, but he’s not happy about it. Not at all,” highlighting the dual reaction of amusement at the near-misses and the underlying concern for safety.

Fans watching the games can expect to see coaches adopting new strategies to protect themselves. This might include wearing more protective gear, adjusting their stance, or developing even faster reaction times. The subtle art of coaching third base may have just become a lot more physically demanding.

As the transcript humorously pointed out, “So, third base coaches, be ready. You’re going to have to save yourselves this year from getting hit by these balls.” It’s a new era for base coaches, one where their agility might be just as important as their strategic acumen. And for those tuning in, the message from the broadcast partner was clear: keep an eye on the game, and perhaps on the third base coach’s box, while also remembering to “shop Amazon, and save on the essentials. Save the everyday.”

Source: Japan's third base coach getting hit by a ball is a sign of things to come in MLB (YouTube)