By Kim Jae-won
Staff Reporter

Korean Baseball Organization (KBO) has abolished the "limitless overtime rule."

The organization's board decided to draw the line for overtime to the 12th inning at a meeting in Silla Hotel, Seoul, Tuesday.

The regulation was applied last year for the first time, but stirred up controversy among Korean baseball fans over the course of the season. Though some supported the policy, others opposed the rule because they believed it hurts players' health.

Six games went over the 12th inning in 2008. The longest was a Doosan Bears vs. Hanhwa Eagles game, which went 18 innings ― lasting 5 hours and 51 minutes ― and ended at 1 a.m. the next day.

The head coaches of seven teams, with the exception of Jerry Royster at Lotte Giants, insisted the 'limitless overtime rule' is not fit for Korean baseball teams because they don't have a sufficient number of players.

The board determined to count a tie as a loss for both teams, believing it may stimulate their desire to win, and extended the number of games from 126 to 133 per team.

In addition, the playoff system also is set to adjust, from the present five to seven.

Players who take part in the World Baseball Classic are to get 40 days off if they advance to final game in line with KBO rules.

Meanwhile, the bonus for the top team of a pennant race will be lowered from 25 percent of post-season income to 20 percent.

shosta@naver.com