Why Can't Japanese Players Bunt?
Discussion in the Open Talk forum
Comments
Re: Why Can't Japanese Players Bunt?
[ Author: mijow | Posted: Sep 10, 2007 12:49 AM
| HT Fan
]
Mmmm. I thought it was the other way round. I've always wondered why players in the majors couldn't bunt. I've always put it down to lack of practice. Must be looking at the TV from a different angle. 
Re: Why Can't Japanese Players Bunt?
[ Author: Guest: JR | Posted: Sep 10, 2007 12:42 PM
]
This would be hard to find stats on, but anyone have any ideas? I had also assumed that Japanese players are better bunters. Except for some really bad stretches for the Tigers this year, it seems to me that a high percentage of sacrifices are successful here.
Re: Why Can't Japanese Players Bunt?
[ Author: Guest | Posted: Sep 11, 2007 7:13 AM
]
In the USA, the pitchers' philosophy is to let a hitter bunt if they want and take the free out. Pitchers generally are happy to throw fastballs as bunting a runner over is not viewed as a great advantage.
In Japan, you may notice that great care and strategy is applied in such a situation and pitchers don't want to just allow the hitter to move the runner over. I think the Japanese batters are equal or better at laying down bunts to their MLB counterparts, but NPB hitters are faced with bunting much tougher pitches due to philosophy.
In Japan, you may notice that great care and strategy is applied in such a situation and pitchers don't want to just allow the hitter to move the runner over. I think the Japanese batters are equal or better at laying down bunts to their MLB counterparts, but NPB hitters are faced with bunting much tougher pitches due to philosophy.
Re: Why Can't Japanese Players Bunt?
[ Author: mijow | Posted: Sep 11, 2007 10:38 AM
| HT Fan
]
Yes, I think "Guest" may be on to something here. I was actually thinking it might have something to do with the extraordinary lengths taken to not allow a successful bunt, because it's such an important part of the game over here.
Re: Why Can't Japanese Players Bunt?
[ Author: Guest: JR | Posted: Sep 11, 2007 8:34 PM
]
Good point Guest and others. Since most teams here employ the sacrifice bunt pretty much from the first inning of a game, it does make sense to defend against it more. Given that Japanese pitchers tend to have good control as well, it would be easier for them to actually pitch against a sacrifice bunt.
Re: Why Can't Japanese Players Bunt?
[ Author: BigManZam | Posted: Sep 11, 2007 8:14 PM
| CLM Fan
]
On a somewhat unrelated note, there have been some Japanese players who turned the bunt into a form of art. Watching Lotte games while he was still on the team, Makoto Kosaka was amazing at putting down the perfect bunt. Masahiro Kawai of the Giants was so great at bunting, I have to wonder what his career success rate was. I think a lot of people in the States think that it's the most boring play around, but I really do enjoy seeing a master bunter put down the perfect sacrifice.
Re: Why Can't Japanese Players Bunt?
[ Author: Japanese Kid | Posted: Sep 14, 2007 12:38 PM
]
I really thought this was some kind of joke topic.
When it comes to bunting, Japanese are the best there is, no question. We exceed in the fundamental category, so to say Japanese players can't but is very interesting.
When it comes to bunting, Japanese are the best there is, no question. We exceed in the fundamental category, so to say Japanese players can't but is very interesting.
Re: Why Can't Japanese Players Bunt?
[ Author: mijow | Posted: Sep 14, 2007 7:02 PM
| HT Fan
]
Discussions on this site are never a joking matter.
Re: Why Can't Japanese Players Bunt?
[ Author: Guest: Slump | Posted: Oct 11, 2007 11:42 AM
]
Biggest reason - artificial turf.
You need to put down the perfect bunt on artificial turf. The grass infields in the Majors "kill" the ball for you so you don't really have to worry as much about hitting it too hard.
You need to put down the perfect bunt on artificial turf. The grass infields in the Majors "kill" the ball for you so you don't really have to worry as much about hitting it too hard.
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If you watch Major League games, MLB batters will successfully bunt and advance a runner 9 times out of 10. In Japanese games it is more like 5 or 6 times out of 10, you see a lot of bunts hit back to the pitcher and the on base runner is thrown out; pop ups to the catcher/pitcher, etc.
Has anyone else noticed this? I find it curious as the bunt is more often employed in the Japanese game than in MLB.
Has anyone else noticed this?