Amateur baseball officials in Japan are debating the introduction of pitch limits aimed at preventing injuries to high school players.
Marathon pitching performances have long been a trademark of the National Summer High School Baseball Championship which is held every August and is arguably the country's most popular sporting event.
"They have pitch limits in U.S. amateur baseball but not here," outfielder Yoshitomo Tsutsugo of the Yokohama BayStars said at a recent media conference. "If you don't think about protecting children there is no point in making baseball more popular. We need to think about the real value of sports, not just winning."
FILE - In this Sept. 4, 2006, file photo, Japan pitcher Yuki Saito, right, is congratulated by catcher Tesshin Sameshima after getting a double play to end the fifth inning of Game 3 of a baseball game against the U.S. at the 15th Goodwill Series in Los Angeles. Amateur baseball officials in Japan are debating the introduction of pitch limits aimed at preventing injuries to high school players. (AP PhotoChris Pizzello, File)
As a teenager, Daisuke Matsuzaka threw 250 pitches in 17 innings in the quarterfinals of the 1998 summer tournament, one day after a 148-pitch complete game shutout.
He underwent Tommy John surgery in 2011 while with the Boston Red Sox.
Kosei Yoshida threw 881 pitches over six games in last year's tournament and Yuki Saito threw a record 948 pitches in one tournament.
Both Yoshida and Saito now play for the Nippon Ham Fighters in Japan's Pacific League.
The Niigata baseball association had planned to introduce a limit of pitches starting in prefectural tournaments this spring.
But the Japan High School Baseball Federation pushed back on Wednesday, asking the Niigata association to reconsider its plan so that a national debate can take place.
Even in Japan's pro leagues, pitch counts are not strictly adhered to and pitching a complete game is highly valued. Pitchers often thrown on the sidelines when their team is batting, something Matsuzaka couldn't do in the majors.
The Japan high school federation has taken several steps to protect players during the summer tournament which is often played in sweltering heat. In 2000, it capped the number of extra innings to 15, down from 18. In 2013, it introduced a rest day after the quarterfinals.
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TORONTO (AP) — Scottie Barnes hit a tiebreaking free throw with 0.8 seconds remaining in overtime and the Toronto Raptors beat the Philadelphia 76ers 116-115 on Sunday night in the first of back-to-back meetings between short-handed teams.
Barnes made the first of two from the line and intentionally missed the second as Toronto won its third straight home meeting with the 76ers. He finished 10 for 12 at the line.
Barnes scored 31 points, Jamal Shead added a career-high 22 and Immanuel Quickley had 20 as Toronto won its third straight at home. Collin Murray-Boyles had 17 points and matched his career-high with 15 rebounds.
Tyrese Maxey scored 38 points for the 76ers and VJ Edgecombe had 17. Kelly Oubre Jr., Domnick Barlow and Quentin Grimes each scored 13 points but Philadelphia lost for the second time in seven games.
Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid (left knee and left groin) and Paul George (left knee) both sat out on the first night of this back-to-back.
Barnes returned after sitting out Friday’s loss at Boston because of a sore right knee but RJ Barrett was inactive because of a sprained left ankle. Brandon Ingram (right thumb) missed his second straight game and Jakob Poeltl (lower back) missed his 10th straight. There is no timetable for Poeltl’s return.
Ja’Kobe Walter started for the Raptors but exited four minutes into the first quarter because of a sore right hip.
Philadelphia had 22 turnovers, one shy of matching a season-high. The 76ers' 11 assists were a season-low.
Toronto finished 5 for 32 (.156) from 3-point range, its worst shooting percentage from distance this season.
The 76ers and Raptors play in Toronto again on Monday night.
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Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey, bottom right, rolls on the court as play continues behind him during first-half NBA basketball game action against the Toronto Raptors in Toronto, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (0) looks to shoot as Toronto Raptors forward Collin Murray-Boyles (12) watches during second-half NBA basketball game action in Toronto, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Raptors forward/guard Scottie Barnes (4) is fouled on his way to the hoop by Philadelphia 76ers forward Jabari Walker (33) as 76ers' Adem Bona, top, looks on during first-half NBA basketball game action in Toronto, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes (4) drives to the net as Philadelphia 76ers guard/forward Trendon Watford (12) and Adem Bona (30) defend during first-half NBA basketball game action in Toronto, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Raptors forward/guard Scottie Barnes (4) is fouled on his way to the hoop by Philadelphia 76ers forward Jabari Walker (33) as 76ers' Adem Bona (30) looks on during first-half NBA basketball game action in Toronto, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
