Infielder Tatsuhiro Shibata Makes Historic Relief Appearance for DeNA BayStars in Blowout Loss

On May 1, 2026, during a matchup between the Tokyo Yakult Swallows and the Yokohama DeNA BayStars at Jingu Stadium, baseball fans were treated to an extraordinary scene. In the 8th inning, with the score at a lopsided 15-5, DeNA sent infielder Tatsuhiro Shibata to the mound as their fifth pitcher. This rare sight—believed to be the first time in franchise history a position player has pitched—sent a wave of excitement and cheers through the stands.

The game was a struggle for DeNA from the start as Yakult's offense exploded. Kazuya Maruyama hit for the cycle, and the Swallows combined for four home runs. With DeNA trailing by 11 runs and facing a two-out, runners-on-first-and-third situation in the bottom of the 8th, Shibata—who had been playing third base—was called to the mound. The stadium atmosphere immediately intensified.

Shibata's pitches ranged from the low 110s to a peak of 121 km/h (approx. 75 mph). Facing Yakult’s Takeshi Miyamoto, he battled through a full count before inducing a flyout to left field on his sixth pitch. Ironically, Shibata ended up being the only DeNA pitcher to record a scoreless outing that day. Fans were quick to praise his control and composure under pressure on social media.

The decision to use a position player was a strategic choice driven by a grueling nine-game stretch during Japan's "Golden Week" holidays. It was a move aimed at avoiding further exhaustion of the primary bullpen arms. While some traditionalists expressed mixed feelings about the break from etiquette, many fans supported the veteran's selfless contribution. Some spectators even noted that getting to see both a cycle hit and a position player pitching made the blowout loss an entertaining experience.

Despite the defeat, the game featured several highlights, including two home runs by DeNA’s Keita Sano. However, the shock of seeing a position player on the mound dominated social media trends, ensuring that Shibata’s dedication will be remembered by fans for a long time.

The context

In Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), having a position player pitch is much rarer than in Major League Baseball (MLB). It is often seen as a last resort, which can sometimes stir debate regarding sportsmanship and tradition. However, the grueling NPB schedule, particularly during "Golden Week"—a string of national holidays in late April and early May when teams often play nine consecutive games—forces managers to make pragmatic decisions to protect their pitchers' health. Tatsuhiro Shibata is a veteran infielder known for his defensive versatility, and his willingness to take the mound reflects the "team-first" mentality highly valued in Japanese sports culture.