"P's UPDATE," the official Pacific League TV program, updates the common sense of baseball world and updates itself. This time, the theme is "Divine base running." Guests include Yuji Kaneko, who won stolen base title twice, Norihiro Nakamura, who is currently a high school baseball coach, and Toshiaki Imae, former manager of Rakuten Eagles Rakuten, who talked about base base running techniques and their respective experiences related to base running.
That safe call wasn't a coincidence! What exactly is a miraculous base base running?
base running can change the flow of a game and sometimes even determine the outcome. Plays that utilize excellent judgment and high-level base running skills, such as taking advantage of a slight gap in defense to advance or skillfully sliding to avoid a tag, are sometimes called "divine base running."
However, that play was by no means a coincidence. Behind that miraculous base running were preparation, judgment, and high skill to secure the safe play. Let's delve into the process that led to that miraculous base running.
Are speed and base base running two different things? What's needed for "god-level base running"?
When asked about the common saying that "speed and base base running are two different things," Kaneko replied, "In terms of getting back to the base, it's always better to be fast," adding, "I think it means that everyone should have the mindset of aiming for the next base."
He emphasizes that "preparation beforehand is extremely important." "It's important to do your home run preparations beforehand, such as studying pitcher 's habits and pitch tempo. It's crucial to have confidence in yourself and increase your chances of success before starting," he said, highlighting the importance of preparation even before getting on base. Furthermore, he said that he assesses the situation by keeping in mind position and the strength of the opposing players' arms before making his start. It's clear that his "miraculous base running" is not a matter of luck, but rather a play that arises from information he has gathered and prepared in advance.
Is there such a thing as a slump in base running? The mental strength that supports "godlike base running"
When asked about the common saying that "there is no slump in base running," Kaneko immediately replied, "There really is." He emphasized the importance of mental strength, saying, "You can't be safe unless you start with confidence."
"If there's pickoff and the lead is narrowed even a little, my internal 'I can do it' barometer drops a bit. The moment it drops even a little, I can no longer run," he revealed, describing his delicate psychological state.
He further added that "there's an uneasy atmosphere when you get caught stolen base" and recalled the time, saying, "I wish they would say things like 'Nice try' or 'That was close,'" emphasizing the importance of creating an atmosphere that encourages proactive attempts.
In the second half, the three players will provide a thorough explanation of actual base running techniques and "miraculous base running" moments. Don't miss their "god-tier commentary" that only three players who have played at the top level can offer!
