Stimulates KIA Athletics
A revolution will take place in the KBO League. On Wednesday, the KBO announced detailed rules for implementation of this season's new system. In a broad framework, the automatic system for determining pitch balls and restriction on defensive shifts will be implemented from the opening game of the 2024 season. On the other hand, pitch clock and restriction on check balls (twice per batter) will be implemented from the first half, but no penalty will be imposed, and officially introduced from the second half at the earliest.
It follows a large part of Major League Baseball's changes to reduce game time and increase inflation. It is the view that KBO President Heo Young-yeon's strong attack drive must be changed from now on for the future and interest of the baseball industry.
Veteran Closer Lee Yong-chan (35) who met after the NC Dinos New Year's Day on the 8th predicted that such a change would be absolutely advantageous to batters. As confirmed in the Major League, stolen bases are expected to increase tremendously due to the trend of riding and pitching. Lee Yong-chan said, "We have to be careful even with our checking pitches."
Just by expanding the base size, stolen bases are expected to increase. Major League Baseball has expanded its base size from 15 inches to 18 inches. This means that the team will gain 7.62 centimeters. This means that actual distance between first and second bases, second and third bases, and third bases will also shorten by 15 centimeters.
In the end, runners are expected to benefit from at least half a foot to about one foot. It is a huge change. It is certain that not only more players who have dominated the stolen base race will run, but also those who have refrained from stealing bases will start running. If pitch clock and check ball restrictions are introduced in earnest in the second half of the year, it is expected to create an environment where runners can run even more easily.
Naturally, attention is paid to three members of KIA's track and field team, Park Chan-ho, Kim Do-young and Choi Won-joon. The three players are the best players in KIA. When KIA briefly operated its full lineup in the second half of last season, it put pressure on batteries in the ninth and second batting order. Changes in regulations allow motors to run on their feet.
As of the 2023 season, Park Chan-ho had a success rate of 78.9% for 30 steals in 130 games, Kim Do-young had a success rate of 86.2% for 25 steals in 84 games, and Choi Won-joon had a success rate of 72.2% for 13 steals in 67 games. Kim Do-young was injured, and Choi Won-joon had 68 stolen bases in the aftermath of military service, even though he could not play full time.
The three will be able to digest the game full-time as long as they do not get sick this year. If so, it is worth looking forward to a collaboration of at least 100 steals. It could easily exceed 100 steals. Choi Won-joon is striving to recover his batting productivity, and Park Chan-ho and Kim Do-young are also in their prime.
If the three make more than 100 steals, Kia's offense is expected to double significantly. The change in regulation itself is expected to give wings to Kia, which has strong offense. The No. 9 and No. 2 track and field teams are likely to emerge as Kia's powerful weapons in the 2024 season.