It's been 13 years since I started watching professional baseball properly, since Ochiai became manager of the Chunichi Dragons in 2004.
My own experience playing amateur baseball has changed how I view and watch professional baseball.
This time, I'd like to analyze why I've changed within myself.
And I would be happy if those who read the article think, "Oh, there's this way of looking at it too."
How to watch the game
I used to enjoy watching my favorite team's offense, but lately I've come to prefer their defense.
While luck plays a role in hitting, fielding, such as handling ordinary batted balls, doesn't rely on luck as much.
I think I've come to enjoy watching the defensive aspects of a game because I can see the culmination of all the practice that player has put in up to that point.
Also, when I started watching baseball in 2004, the Dragons were strong for quite some time.
However, recently they've been finishing lower in the standings, and watching their matches in person has gone from being enjoyable to not being so enjoyable anymore.
How to approach hitting
In the past, if a batter missed a good first strike, I think the pitcher would get quite frustrated and say, "Why didn't he swing?!"
However, since I started playing baseball myself, I've come to understand, to some extent, what it feels like for a batter at the plate.
I think letting a curveball right down the middle on the first pitch go by means that you're waiting for a fastball, and swinging at a high ball outside the strike zone on a full count means that you're widening your strike zone because you're behind in the count.
In this way, the feeling of "What are you doing?!" that comes first has become less frequent, and I've been able to view the players with a more positive attitude.
How to watch a pitch
I think the way people view pitching has changed quite a bit compared to the past.
Previously, I think there were many complaints, such as "Why are they keeping this pitcher in?" or "Why are they changing him already?"
However, recently I've come to understand the concept of using players in order to help them develop.
In particular, the Dragons, the team I support, are currently languishing in the lower half of the standings.
I think that helping our pitchers grow is more important than simply securing a win in the moment.
If you keep using relief pitchers whenever you're in a tight spot while you have a small lead, you won't develop the ability to overcome difficult situations on your own.
I think there will be times when they get overtaken, but I've come to see it as them being allowed to pitch because they want him to use that frustration as motivation.
How to approach defense
Since I started playing defense myself, I've come to understand what kinds of plays are difficult, which has increased my respect for the players.
Since I only play with softballs, I don't know everything about it.
However, when I see the first baseman effortlessly catching difficult half-bounce and short-bounce throws, I really feel that professional skills are on a different level.
Also, the way the first baseman catches and tags the ball when the pitcher throws to first base, and the way the second baseman and shortstop catch and tag the ball when the catcher throws to second base, are all incredibly smooth and quick, which I find amazing.
Also, the way the infielders chase after fly balls that drift loosely behind them, and the way they position their gloves to react to them, is truly amazing.
I feel that I've been able to enjoy baseball more deeply since I started playing it myself.
How to watch your favorite player
In the past, my favorite player was usually the one with the best performance record.
However, nowadays, regardless of their performance, I feel like I want them to do well = they are my favorite players.
For example, when a player who hasn't made much progress in the minor leagues for a long time finally starts to get some results as a pinch hitter in the major leagues and is then able to play as a starter for the first time, I watch them with a feeling like a parent watching over them.
For example, in this year's Chunichi Dragons, Fukuda Nagamasa is one such player.
He had shown signs of this over the past few years, but...
In addition, I also find myself rooting for players who, as they get older, may not be able to perform at the same level as in their prime, but who continue to play in the first team in a supporting role, and I hope they stay with the team for a long time.
For the Dragons, players like Araki would fit this description.
How to watch when you go to watch it live
I don't go to watch games as often these days, but I've started paying more attention to things you can't see on TV, like pre-game practice, catch practice, and defensive positioning.
While we can watch the trajectory of the batted ball and the batting itself on television, we don't have the opportunity to see the defensive positions that are in between.
Watching those kinds of things has become one of the joys of watching a game live.
I find it particularly interesting to watch players practicing catch with each other during defensive drills before a game, as it offers a glimpse into the relationships between the players.
Watching Naomichi Dojo and Morino playing catch, I was struck by how amusing it was to see the younger Dojo being so considerate while catching the ball.
(After catching Morino's ball, he leaves his glove as it is, savoring the moment.)
Coaches' perspective
When I started watching baseball 13 years ago, I didn't know much about the active players, and of course, I knew absolutely nothing about the coaches and managers.
However, as I've watched the games for more years, I've noticed that many players I knew during their playing days have joined the coaching staff, and I've come to know a lot more people, both players and coaches, who I'm familiar with.
As a result, I've even grown fond of the person standing near the bases as the base running coach, and I've been able to appreciate the game more.
summary
Overall, since I started playing baseball myself, I've come to understand how difficult the game is.
As a result, my respect for professional baseball players who are doing such a difficult job has grown, and it has become difficult to complain while watching the game.
I've never liked judging plays based solely on hindsight, saying things like, "That play was good," or "That play was bad," so this might be just right.
I believe my experience playing amateur baseball definitely increased my enjoyment of watching professional baseball games.