The 19th Hangzhou Asian Games (2023) will have a total of 40 sports, including Olympic sports (such as track and field, swimming, basketball, etc.) and Asian sports (such as wushu, kabaddi, rattan ball, etc.). Here's a closer look at combining baseball and softball:

1. Baseball

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Venue and rules: Using a diamond-shaped field (infield), the game is divided into 9 rounds, and 9 people from each team take turns to attack and defend, and the one with the most points wins.

Balls and equipment: The balls are hard, about 7.3 cm in diameter, and use wooden or metal bats.

Pitching method: The pitcher uses the upper hand to pitch, and the ball speed can reach more than 150 km/h.

Asian Games performance

Strong teams: Japan, South Korea, Chinese Taipei (such as the 2023 Asian Games where South Korea won the gold medal and Japan won the silver medal).

What to watch: Complex tactical coordination, emphasizing the explosiveness of the pitcher and the explosiveness of the hitter.

2. Softball

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Venue & Rules: The field is small, the game is 7 rounds, the ball is large and soft, and a metal bat is used.

Pitching method: The pitcher uses the lower hand to throw the ball around the arm, and the ball speed is about 100-120 km/h.

Gender differences: The Asian Games will only feature women's softball, while men's events will be integrated into baseball.

Asian Games performance

Strong teams: Japan, China, Chinese Taipei (Japan won the championship in 2023, China won the silver medal).

What to watch: fast-paced, teamwork and flexible tactics.

3. Comparison and the current situation

Gender settings

Baseball is a men's event and softball is a women's event at the Asian Games (softball has been cancelled at the Olympics and will return in 2028).

Asian pattern

Japan and South Korea monopolize baseball medals; Softball is fiercely competitive between China and Japan, and the Philippines and Chinese Taipei also have strength.

Trends

Baseball has a wider audience driven by professionalism, while softball relies on schools and youth promotion.