Work that cannot be measured by at-bats: Ryota Isobata's two runs scored as a substitute - 7/18 Fighters Review

The Fighters' pitching and hitting clicked, leading to a 7-0 victory over the Orix Buffaloes. The pitching staff, led by Haruki Hosono, did not allow any runs, and the lineup racked up 13 hits. However, looking back at why they were able to score 7 runs without a single home run, I think stolen bases and base running that aimed for the next base played a major role.

Among them, I was particularly impressed by the movements of Ryota Isobata, who recorded two runs despite coming on as a substitute.

Isobata entered the game in the bottom of the 5th inning, replacing Shun Mizutani in center field. Given that they had a 4-run lead, I thought the primary intention was to solidify the outfield defense.

On the other hand, because the substitution happened in the 5th inning rather than late in the game, Isobata got two at-bats in the 7th and 9th innings.It seems that manager Tsuyoshi Shinjo tends to make defensive substitutions relatively early to ensure that substitute players also get at-bats. It is possible that this was an appointment that included not only defense but also subsequent participation in the offense.

In the 7th inning, Isobata led off with a single to center and successfully stole second base. He advanced to third on a subsequent single by Reyes and returned home on a grounder to shortstop by Masanori Yoshida.

This situation seems to have involved slightly more complex judgment than just dismissing it as a simple 'go on contact' play.

The ball rolled toward the shortstop. If Isobata had dashed for home the moment the ball was hit, there was a possibility the shortstop would have chosen to throw home. Conversely, if he had waited to confirm the throw to second base before starting, he might have been tagged out by the return throw from the second baseman if his judgment was delayed.

Furthermore, since there was one out with runners on first and third, if the defense had completed a double play from second to first, the offense would have ended at that point. It was a situation where just touching home plate would not have resulted in a run.

Judging from the footage, it looked like Isobata didn't dash for home from the start, but rather started running after confirming that the shortstop had thrown to second base.

There is no doubt that this was a play made possible by his speed. However, more than that, I think it was a base-running play that demanded precision in judgment regarding how long to wait and where to start running.

His second at-bat in the 9th inning was a grounder to second. He remained on first base after a fielder's choice. Later, he advanced from first to third on a single to center by Tatsuki Mizuno and scored on a sacrifice fly by Reyes.

Isobata's at-bat result was an out. Even so, his base running after remaining on first base turned a single into a first-and-third situation. He had set the conditions for the next sacrifice fly.

I feel that substitute players face difficulties that are different from those of the starting lineup.

You are not always able to adjust your feel for the game while standing at the plate multiple times. Sometimes you are required to make judgments on defense, hitting, and base running immediately after entering the game. If you fail a stolen base attempt, you lose the leadoff runner you worked so hard to get. Even so, the next opportunity is not guaranteed to come.

That is precisely why how you spend your time in the dugout is likely important.

In this game, before Isobata entered, Yuki Nomura and Mizuno had also successfully stolen bases. There was material to confirm the catcher's throwing motion and the trajectory of his throws. Also, when Isobata stole second, Miyaguni had been pitching since the previous inning, so he might have been watching the pitcher's quick motion, pick-off moves, and timing from the set position.

Of course, I don't know which parts he was actually observing. However, it would be difficult to successfully steal a base immediately on his first opportunity to reach base without continuing some kind of preparation before his turn came.

Isobata entered as a defensive replacement, became a runner twice in two at-bats, and returned home both times.

Observing the game from the bench and executing judgments in limited opportunities. From Isobata's base running, I could see the quality of preparation required in the difficult position of being a substitute player.