Japan and Taiwan baseball leagues move to pitch clocks and automated strike zones

The Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) Players Association voted unanimously to introduce a pitch clock from the next season and expressed support for adopting an automated ball‑strike (ABS) system. Chairman Kondo said the changes aim to align with international tournaments and reduce player workload, while discussions continue on whether the timer will match MLB standards. Overseas fans have voiced both approval and concern over the potential loss of traditional game pacing.

In Taiwan, the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) plans to roll out an ABS system in 2027. Coach Hirano of the CTBC Brothers urged the league to study other leagues’ experiences before implementation, highlighting issues such as posture‑related errors, weather impacts, and the difficulty for players to see the strike zone directly. The CPBL’s minor league already uses ABS, and Hirano noted that broadcast graphics help viewers see the zone, but precision and environmental factors remain challenges.