For a pitcher, a fastball, precise control, and a variety of breaking balls are important, but maintaining composure is equally crucial. The ability to throw one's pitch without getting excited or tense in any situation is a virtue that a good pitcher should possess. Cody Ponce (31, Hanwha), who has emerged as the best pitcher in professional baseball this year, also has unwavering composure.

Ponce led Hanwha to a decisive 10-4 victory, achieving his 10th win of the season with a performance of 5⅔ innings, 1 hit, 1 walk, 12 strikeouts, and 2 earned runs (unearned) against Kiwoom on the 22nd. He reached double-digit wins without a loss since the season began. This marked the first time a Hanwha pitcher has achieved a 10-game winning streak after the opening in KBO League history.

After the longest 7 days since the opening, Ponce took the mound and showcased his powerful pitching, clocking in a top speed of 159 km/h. He recorded 12 strikeouts, six of which came from powerful fastballs. Additionally, he struck out 5 batters with his winning shot change-up and 1 with a slider. He displayed a high level of completeness as a pitcher, even hitting 4 looking strikeouts at the borderline.

Maintaining composure was also notable. In the third inning with 2 outs and a man on first base, before throwing his second pitch against Lim Ji-yeol, Ponce received a warning from the umpire Moon Dong-kyun regarding the pitch clock's intentional delay. Although there were about 6 seconds left on the pitch clock, Umpire Moon called time and instructed Ponce to pitch quickly. This was highlighting that the batter was ready while Ponce was dragging out the time. This year, umpires seem to have a particularly tough view of Ponce.

In response, Ponce threw the next pitch immediately after getting into the set position. Umpire Moon then raised his arm again to call time, prompting the batter Lim Ji-yeol to step out of the batter's box. Ponce, pointing two fingers at Umpire Moon, asked why time was called again, which led to a misunderstanding with Lim Ji-yeol getting upset, resulting in a bench-clearing incident with players from both teams coming onto the field.

Although the situation was resolved without a significant clash, a brief tense atmosphere was created as Ponce and Lim Ji-yeol exchanged words. A pitcher throwing a pitch in a heated emotional state can often be at a disadvantage. While a momentary surge of emotions can disrupt the rhythm and breathing on the mound, Ponce quickly calmed himself to focus on pitching.

In the resumed matchup against Lim Ji-yeol after the bench-clearing incident, Ponce threw all his pitches for balls 2 through 5 inside the strike zone, going head-to-head. Despite hitting three consecutive fouls, Lim Ji-yeol's bat missed the 154 km/h fastball that came in high down the middle on the fifth pitch. After finishing the inning with a strikeout immediately following the bench-clearing, Ponce left the mound with a bright smile.

As if nothing had happened, Ponce struck out 12 batters until the 6th inning with 2 outs and reached his 10th win. After the game, Ponce said, "I threw because the umpire signaled to play, but I didn’t realize that Lim Ji-yeol wasn't ready in the batter's box. I was asking the umpire why time was called, and I had absolutely no bad intentions toward the batter. During the game, the competitive spirit rises, and when someone says something, you instinctively engage. I understand Lim Ji-yeol's position, but there was no bad intent. A misunderstanding occurred."

Ponce has been criticized several times by umpires for taking too long even when the pitch clock has time remaining since the exhibition game. He stated, "The KBO League is not an easy environment. Every team is challenging to face, so I try to use the pitch clock as much as possible to make the batters uncomfortable. It’s part of the game." He is fighting timing with batters within the rules, but repeatedly receiving verbal warnings at the umpire's discretion after time has been called. During the opening game against KT in Suwon on March 22, he also committed a balk after receiving a warning in the second inning. However, apart from that instance, he has been maintaining his composure consistently even when similar situations arise.

Whether intentional or not, "pitcher shaking" often occurs, but it does not affect Ponce. On April 15 against SSG in Munhak, a similar situation happened. At that time, Ponce was pitching while blowing warm air into his hands due to the cold weather, but he was interrupted by the opposing team's manager's complaint. Starting from the third inning, he did not blow warm air and threw directly. After blowing warm air, he would wipe his hands on his uniform once and continue pitching. Even in a situation that could be confusing, Ponce maintained his composure, striking out 12 batters while pitching without allowing any runs up to the seventh inning. After that game, Ponce said, "It seems there was an intention to break the timing once and shake me up. Although it was the opposing manager, I think it was a smart move," and added, "After that, my competitive desire surged, and I pitched with more focus." Behind his composure was a boiling desire to win.

[OSEN]