In Tokyo, the Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers are set to relive the past on the baseball field for a few days, indulging in nostalgia reminiscent of 2022 and hearkening back to 1982 in the clubhouse atmosphere. There are noticeable differences between how baseball is played in the U.S. and Japan, and these will become apparent as the Cubs and Dodgers face off against the Hanshin Tigers and Yomiuri Giants in exhibition games at the Tokyo Dome.
One significant distinction lies in the use of a pitch clock. Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), Japan’s top baseball league, does not employ a pitch clock, unlike Major League Baseball (MLB), which introduced the rule in 2023. In MLB, the pitch clock allows pitchers 15 seconds to throw when the bases are empty and 18 seconds with runners on base, with restrictions on how often they can disengage from the pitching rubber. This change notably shortened game lengths in the U.S., trimming about 30 minutes from the average game. While players initially had mixed feelings, they have mostly adapted. However, during the exhibition games in Japan, the pitch clock will not be in effect. Cubs pitcher Matthew Boyd, who is set to pitch against Yomiuri, acknowledges the temptation to take extra time between pitches but plans to maintain his usual pace to prepare for the regular season games where the rules will be enforced.
Cubs manager Craig Counsell appreciates the old-school vibe of these games. Having played in the majors from 1995 to 2011, he recalls a time when statistical and video analysis were rare, and players relied on teammates for scouting information. This lack of data will add a unique flavor to the games against Hanshin and Yomiuri. Initial indications from the first exhibition game showed that Hanshin’s pitchers held the Cubs hitless until the sixth inning, highlighting the challenge in adapting to limited scouting resources.
Additionally, there is a difference in the baseballs used by NPB and MLB. During exhibitions when Japanese teams are fielding, they use their version of the ball, while the MLB ball is used by the Cubs and Dodgers when pitching. Cubs pitcher Boyd noted subtle differences between the two, such as the seam height.
Another quirky aspect is the smoking culture. Unlike MLB, where players no longer light up cigarettes publicly after games, Japanese baseball facilities like the Tokyo Dome still accommodate smoking in designated areas. While no Cubs player had taken advantage of this nostalgic offering so far, the opportunity remains.
The crowd atmosphere was also distinctly different. The first exhibition game witnessed a sold-out crowd of 42,000, with enthusiastic, organized cheering from the right-field stands accompanied by a band, creating an ambience akin to a mix of soccer and college football. Mobile vendors with beer kegs on their backs added to the lively scene. Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki relished the familiar sound of Tigers’ cheers, saying it evoked fond memories and highlighted the passion of the fans.
However, Suzuki quipped when asked if Wrigley Field could adopt similar cheer practices, suggesting with a smile that it might lead to chaos, preferring to maintain the traditional ways.
