Idol’s Agony: Lienel’s Shunta Kondo Proposes Radical ‘3-Inning’ Baseball Format After Fighters’ Collapses
For most sports fans, the agony of a late-game collapse is a rite of passage. For Shunta Kondo, a member of the six-person vocal and dance group Lienel, it has become a catalyst for some rather creative—if impractical—rule changes. In a series of recent blog posts, the Hokkaido-born performer has jokingly called for professional baseball to be shortened to a three- or four-inning system to spare fans from the heartbreak of blown leads.
The suggestion stems from Kondo’s passionate support of the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters, a team that has recently provided him with a volatile emotional rollercoaster. The “3-inning system” proposal is less a tactical manifesto and more a cry for facilitate from a fan who has seen too many early advantages evaporate in the final frames of a game.
The Anatomy of a Collapse
The frustration reached a boiling point during a game where the Fighters appeared to be in total control. Kondo noted that before a scheduled fan signing event, the team held a comfortable 5-3 lead. He entered his professional obligations in high spirits, only to return to his phone and find a devastating 7-11 defeat.
The breakdown was systemic. Although the offense functioned well—connecting for 11 hits and seeing strong contributions from the lower half of the lineup—the pitching staff faltered. Specifically, Arihara struggled in the fifth inning, surrendering six runs. Although Uehara managed to shut down the opposition in the sixth, the team surrendered more runs in the seventh and eighth innings.
It was this specific sequence of events—leading early, only to be dismantled in the late stages—that led Kondo to write, “Please make professional baseball a 4-inning system,” and jokingly announce his “retirement” as a fan, with a scheduled return date of April 14 at 6:00 PM.
A Pattern of Pain and Hope
The emotional swings didn’t stop there. On April 15, 2026, Kondo detailed another disappointing outing where the team fell 7-9. This particular loss was marked by a surprising performance from pitcher Kato, who surrendered eight runs. This was a jarring shift in form for Kato, who had previously maintained a dominant 2-0 record with a 0.82 ERA.
However, the volatility of the sport is what keeps fans like Kondo engaged. Just days prior, he experienced the peak of fandom during a trip to ZOZO Marine Stadium to watch the Fighters face off against the Lotte Marines. That game ended in a decisive 5-1 victory for the Fighters.
The win was highlighted by a strong performance from Tatsu, who allowed only one run over eight innings, and a second solo home run from Tamiya. For Kondo, who admitted that he often suffers from “losing luck” when attending games in person, the victory was a rare and celebrated moment of relief.
More Than Just a Fan
Kondo’s deep-seated passion for the game is not a recent development. According to his official profile with Stardust Promotion, the 20-year-old has been playing baseball since the third grade. Beyond his active participation in the sport, he is known for his ability to mimic professional baseball players, a skill that underscores his obsession with the game’s nuances.
Since debuting with Lienel on April 29, 2023, Kondo has balanced his career as an idol with his identity as a sports enthusiast. His public persona often blends these two worlds, as seen in his “S-Kin Field” solo fan community and his frequent updates regarding the Fighters’ standings and player performances.
For global readers unfamiliar with the structure of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), the standard game consists of nine innings. Kondo’s suggestion to cut this by more than half is, of course, a hyperbolic reaction to the stresses of fandom, but it highlights the intense psychological toll that “late-inning collapses” seize on a dedicated supporter.
Connecting the Dots: The Fan Experience
The intersection of celebrity and sports fandom often provides a humanizing lens through which the public can view a team. When a public figure like Kondo shares his “void” (a term he uses to describe days without baseball) or his frustration with a pitcher’s ERA, it mirrors the experience of millions of fans worldwide who feel their mood is dictated by the performance of their favorite athletes.
Kondo’s experience underscores a universal truth in sports: the higher the peak of victory, the deeper the valley of defeat. From the joy of a Tamiya home run at ZOZO Marine Stadium to the despair of an eight-run inning by Kato, the emotional stakes remain high regardless of whether one is a professional performer or a casual observer.
Key Takeaways from Kondo’s “3-Inning” Saga
- The Catalyst: A 5-3 lead turning into a 7-11 loss triggered the joke about shortening the game.
- Pitching Woes: Recent struggles include Arihara giving up six runs in the fifth and Kato surrendering eight runs in a single outing.
- The High Point: A 5-1 win against Lotte featuring a strong 8-inning performance by Tatsu and a solo homer by Tamiya.
- Personal Background: Shunta Kondo has played baseball since age 9 and frequently incorporates the sport into his public identity.
As the season progresses, the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters will continue to play the standard nine-inning game, much to the likely chagrin of Shunta Kondo. Fans can expect further updates on his emotional state and his “retirement” status via the Lienel official blog.
What do you think? Should baseball move to a shorter format to protect the mental health of fans, or is the late-game tension what makes the sport great? Let us know in the comments.
