First 'Dangerous Swing' Ruling After New NPB Regulations Implemented
Shunsuke Urata of the Yomiuri Giants received the first warning for a "dangerous swing" after new regulations were implemented in Japanese professional baseball this month. His bat flew off his hands during a swing towards first base, leading to the umpire's warning. The new rule was introduced following an incident where an umpire was knocked unconscious by a batter's bat.
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- 📰 Published: May 16, 2026 at 18:53
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Central News Agency
(Central News Agency, Tokyo, May 16, comprehensive foreign news report) Yomiuri Giants player Shunsuke Urata was warned for a "dangerous swing" yesterday during his at-bat, becoming the first person in the 12 NPB teams' first squads to receive a "dangerous swing" warning since the new regulations were implemented this month.
According to a Sports Hochi report, the Giants faced the Yokohama DeNA BayStars at Tokyo Dome yesterday. In the bottom of the 7th inning, with the Giants leading 2-0 and two outs, Giants shortstop Urata stepped into the batter's box. He swung at an outside slider, but the bat flew out of both his hands, soaring towards the area between first base and the pitcher's mound, then rolling on the ground between home plate and the pitcher's mound.
The home plate umpire later picked up the microphone and ruled it a "dangerous swing," issuing a warning.
Nippon TV reported that Urata recalled after the game, "It was a slider at the time, and I just intended to make contact, but as soon as I hit the ball, the bat flew out."
He also said, "I thought I was going to be ejected, but it was just a warning. I'll review the situation thoroughly later and make adjustments."
Regarding the new "dangerous swing" regulations, Urata stated, "I didn't pay much attention before the warning was issued, but if I commit it again after a warning, I'll be ejected, so I sprayed a lot of anti-slip spray at the time."
He mentioned that his future countermeasure would "probably be to spray anti-slip spray."
NPB umpire Takuto Kawakami fell into a coma last month after being hit in the head by a batter's bat during a game. In response, NPB established new regulations, which began punishing batters for "dangerous swings" on May 12. Violators can be ejected, and the rule applies to both the first and second squads.
Under the new regulations, a "dangerous swing" occurs when the bat leaves the batter's hands. The first instance results in a "warning," and the second results in an "ejection." If the bat directly hits someone, the player will be immediately ejected.
Furthermore, if the bat flies into the dugout, photography area, or stands, even if it doesn't hit anyone, the player will be immediately ejected.
Urata's situation on May 15 was that the bat came off both of his hands, so it was ruled a "dangerous swing." (Editor: Yang Wei-jing) 1150516
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(Central News Agency, Tokyo, May 16, comprehensive foreign news report) Yomiuri Giants player Shunsuke Urata was warned for a "dangerous swing" yesterday during his at-bat, becoming the first person in the 12 NPB teams' first squads to receive a "dangerous swing" warning since the new regulations were implemented this month.
According to a Sports Hochi report, the Giants faced the Yokohama DeNA BayStars at Tokyo Dome yesterday. In the bottom of the 7th inning, with the Giants leading 2-0 and two outs, Giants shortstop Urata stepped into the batter's box. He swung at an outside slider, but the bat flew out of both his hands, soaring towards the area between first base and the pitcher's mound, then rolling on the ground between home plate and the pitcher's mound.
The home plate umpire later picked up the microphone and ruled it a "dangerous swing," issuing a warning.
Nippon TV reported that Urata recalled after the game, "It was a slider at the time, and I just intended to make contact, but as soon as I hit the ball, the bat flew out."
He also said, "I thought I was going to be ejected, but it was just a warning. I'll review the situation thoroughly later and make adjustments."
Regarding the new "dangerous swing" regulations, Urata stated, "I didn't pay much attention before the warning was issued, but if I commit it again after a warning, I'll be ejected, so I sprayed a lot of anti-slip spray at the time."
He mentioned that his future countermeasure would "probably be to spray anti-slip spray."
NPB umpire Takuto Kawakami fell into a coma last month after being hit in the head by a batter's bat during a game. In response, NPB established new regulations, which began punishing batters for "dangerous swings" on May 12. Violators can be ejected, and the rule applies to both the first and second squads.
Under the new regulations, a "dangerous swing" occurs when the bat leaves the batter's hands. The first instance results in a "warning," and the second results in an "ejection." If the bat directly hits someone, the player will be immediately ejected.
Furthermore, if the bat flies into the dugout, photography area, or stands, even if it doesn't hit anyone, the player will be immediately ejected.
Urata's situation on May 15 was that the bat came off both of his hands, so it was ruled a "dangerous swing." (Editor: Yang Wei-jing) 1150516
Stand with facts, every sponsorship helps protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency's "Firsthand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
Without authorization, the text, images, and audio/video on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or utilized.