The crack of a baseball bat normally blends into the background noise of amped-up fans who fill stadiums, but one scary moment in Japan could change how the country’s players are penalized forever.
Japanese baseball officials are now looking at major rule changes after Nippon Professional Baseball umpire Takuto Kawakami was knocked unconscious by a flying bat during a game in Tokyo almost three weeks ago.
As of Friday, reports in Japan say the 30-year-old umpire is still unconscious and receiving treatment after emergency surgery. The accident happened last month during a game between the Yakult Swallows and Yokohama DeNA BayStars at Jingu Stadium. Meanwhile, minor league baseball faced backlash for allowing Ronald McDonald to perform the national anthem.
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According to Japanese outlets, Nippon Professional Baseball is considering a rule that would allow umpires to warn or eject players who swing their bats dangerously. Jose Osuna, who swung the bat in this case, was not fined or suspended.
League executives are expected to review the recommendation on Monday alongside representatives from all 12 NPB clubs, with implementation potentially taking effect before the end of the current season. Most teams have played about 31 to 35 games so far in the 143-game season.
With a two-ball, one-strike count in the eighth inning, Osuna (formerly of the Pittsburgh Pirates) swung at a pitch and made contact before his bat flew backward during a powerful follow-through. The bat struck Kawakami directly on the left side of his head near the temple while he worked behind home plate.
Kawakami took off his mask right away, staggered backward, and collapsed onto his back near the catcher. Osuna saw how serious it was and stepped out of the batter’s box to check on him, while the opposing catcher rushed over to help.
Osuna was not fined or suspended after the play -Credit:YouTube (@StrikeZoneStudios)
Medical staff ran onto the field as players watched. They set up a blue tent around Kawakami to keep the treatment private, then stabilized him on an orange backboard and took him to the hospital.
Osuna took off his helmet as a sign of respect and spoke with the opposing catcher while quietly accepting a new bat from a crew member as the stadium stayed silent. The accident led to masses of public support across the Asian baseball community.
Umpires across NPB and even in Taiwan were shown wearing Kawakami’s No. 29 on their headgear in support of his recovery. Kawakami was initially placed in intensive care after emergency surgery before later being transferred to a general hospital on April 30.
Reports on Monday indicated that he still has not regained consciousness following the play. Major League Baseball has also experienced several bat-related umpire injuries over the years.
34-year veteran MLB umpire Brian O’Nora suffered a concussion during a game in 2021. Umpire Paul Emmel required stitches and hospitalization in 2016 after taking a bat to the head during an Angels-A’s matchup.