Central League Votes to Adopt Designated Hitter Rule From 2027

Central League to adopt DH from 2027

For the baseball purists who like to see pitchers bat, the last holdout has succumbed to modern times. Japan pro baseball’s Central League will adopt the designated hitter starting with the 2027 season, the league decided at its board meeting on Monday, a half-century after the “position” was first introduced into Japan.

Central League votes to adopt designated hitter rule from 2027

The change means NPB’s two leagues will operate under the same set of rules for the first time since the Pacific League adopted the designated hitter in 1975.

BREAKING NEWS: Japanese baseball's Central League to adopt DH in 2027

BREAKING NEWS: Japanese baseball's Central League to adopt DH in 2027 Read full story here