On September 20, 2026, a hit-by-pitch on Hanshin Tigers player Maekawa during a game became a hot topic on 5ch’s “Nandemo Jikkyou G” board. The issue isn’t the hit-by-pitch itself, but whether the pitch was actually inside the strike zone — after watching replay images, posters split right down the middle, with some insisting “that’s clearly a ball” and others firing back “no, that’s a strike.” No one posted video, only still images circulated, and the results of the official replay review also became a talking point, with the back-and-forth over what really happened dominating the thread.
What people said
3AnonymousSep 20, 2026 19:27
That review request took way too long, didn't it
5AnonymousSep 20, 2026 19:29
The usual clownish umpiring strikes again ("chinpire" — slang mocking incompetent umps)
7AnonymousSep 20, 2026 19:30
This is way too much, honestly
They're just ignoring the rules
10AnonymousSep 20, 2026 19:31
Not getting ejected for protesting the review result — that's the real rule-breaking
11AnonymousSep 20, 2026 19:31
Even if he throws inside within the strike zone, they'll act like he's intimidating the batter, right?
Total garbage
15AnonymousSep 20, 2026 19:31
The clown umps actually allowed this lolololol
22AnonymousSep 20, 2026 19:33
Re: #15
Yeah this is genuinely messed up
16AnonymousSep 20, 2026 19:32
But isn't it the pitcher's fault for not having the skill to command the inside corner?
24AnonymousSep 20, 2026 19:34
Re: #16
It landed exactly where he aimed, inside the strike zone though
17AnonymousSep 20, 2026 19:32
A hit-by-pitch inside the strike zone —
that's gotta be a first
20AnonymousSep 20, 2026 19:33
Re: #17
Pretty sure that happens fairly often though
23AnonymousSep 20, 2026 19:34
If this is allowed, pitchers might start faking a bunt and aiming for the head next
30AnonymousSep 20, 2026 19:35
Maybe all those past 'intimidation' pitches were actually strikes too
37AnonymousSep 20, 2026 19:42
Watched the replay — that's clearly a ball, no matter how you look at it
39AnonymousSep 20, 2026 19:43
A Tigers fan's "clearly" can't be trusted lol
40AnonymousSep 20, 2026 19:43
Go watch the footage — it's a ball
If that's actually a strike, I'd honestly be impressed
41AnonymousSep 20, 2026 19:44
This is the only way to stop Yokohama's momentum!
43AnonymousSep 20, 2026 19:45
If that's really a strike, that's crazy in its own way
44AnonymousSep 20, 2026 19:45
"I personally wasn't upset about it" — that kind of mindset
48AnonymousSep 20, 2026 19:46
No wonder nobody can post the video
Because
it's completely a ball
53AnonymousSep 20, 2026 19:48
Re: #48
Then the "it's a ball" crowd should be the ones posting it
50AnonymousSep 20, 2026 19:47
Wasn't there a pitcher named Maekawa who transferred from Orix to the Tigers, the one who got a DUI?
Wonder what he's up to now
52AnonymousSep 20, 2026 19:48
Still no video this whole time
Says it all
Guess it's another anti-Tigers thread starter 🤭
54AnonymousSep 20, 2026 19:49
Normally if you're starting a thread like this, you'd post the video, right? 🤭
55AnonymousSep 20, 2026 19:49
If they post the video it'll be obvious
that it was completely a ball lol
56AnonymousSep 20, 2026 19:49
In front of the clown umps, the replay review means nothing
60AnonymousSep 20, 2026 19:50
If the review overturned the call, doesn't that mean it was a ball?
64AnonymousSep 20, 2026 19:52
Hit by pitch inside the strike zone lolololololol
tps://i.imgur.com/dpWn7Qv.png
65AnonymousSep 20, 2026 19:53
Re: #64
Delete it delete it delete it delete it delete it delete it delete it delete it delete it
70AnonymousSep 20, 2026 19:54
Re: #64
Well would you look at that
72AnonymousSep 20, 2026 19:55
Re: #64
Never seen a sight like this before lol
A hit-by-pitch inside the strike zone
89AnonymousSep 20, 2026 20:07
95AnonymousSep 20, 2026 20:08
Re: #89
That's straight up right over the plate lol
Background and Key Points of This Debate
Under NPB rules, if a pitch passes through the strike zone and the batter makes no attempt to avoid it, it can be ruled a “strike” rather than a “hit-by-pitch” even if it hits the batter’s body. This is exactly the kind of situation at the center of this debate — after watching the replays and images, posters were split, with some saying “that’s obviously a ball” and others insisting “no, it’s inside the strike zone,” and the argument continued without a clear resolution. The thread also featured emotional jabs at the pitcher and some off-color banter, but the core dispute is really a technical one about interpreting the replay footage. The article doesn’t confirm what standard the home plate umpire actually used or how the team’s challenge was handled, so it’s worth noting this remains speculation confined to 5ch.
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