The 10th season of interleague play in Japanese pro baseball begins in two weeks with a new twist. For the first time, a "reverse designated hitter" rule will be in place. Instead of the DH being used in games where the Pacific League club is the home team, it will be in effect in Central League parks.
While it may seem like a new idea, the "reverse DH" proposal was actually suggested in 2005, when interleague play began, by then-Chiba Lotte Marines manager Bobby Valentine.
"If you're going to play half the games with a DH and half without, it would make more sense to use the DH in the Central League parks," Valentine said nine years ago.