Japanese Baseball

One of the most popular sports in Japan, baseball,Yokohama Bay Stars Ballpark: Yokohama Stadium
is about to start its new season soon and is wellYakult Swallows Ballpark: Gingu Stadium
worth catching a view of even if you are not anTokyo Hiroshima Toyo Carp Ballpark: Hiroshima
avid fan. Japan's professional baseball season isShimin Stadium
from April to October. There are two leagues inHanshin Tigers Ballpark: Hanshin Koshien Stadium
Japanese professional baseball: the Central LeaguePacific League
and the Pacific League. There are six teams inFukuoka Soft Bank Hawks Ballpark: Fukuoka
each league. The winners from both leagues meetYahoo Dome
in the Japan Series in October. In July, two orSeibu Lions Ballpark: Seibu Dome
three All-Star games are held by best playersGolden Eagles Ballpark: Full Cast Stadium Miyagi
from two leagues. Also, exchange games(Sendai)
between two leagues called koryu-jiai are plannedChiba Lotte Marines Ballpark: Chiba Marine Stadium
every year.Orix Buffaloes Ballpark: Osaka Dome
This has been the main event where some orBaseball was introduced to Japan in 1872 by
most of the Japanese community become one,Horace Wilson, and the first formal team was
They unite or sometimes bet on either teams,established in 1878, and it has been a popular
however this is the instance where all Japanesesport since. It is called ?? (????; yakyu) in
people gather in one place and together cheer forJapanese, combining the characters for field and
their favors. This game has always beenball.
compared to other games that exists in theIt is played at all age levels but most widely in
country but still, statistics showed an unfavorablejunior high schools and senior high schools. In
result. Also to other countries this is being mostlyMarch and August, two tournaments are held in
compared.Koshien Stadium for senior high school teams that
It's going to be so much fun to see popularwin a prefectural tournament.
baseball teams and players. If you are living inThe highest level of competition is Nippon
Japan or visiting Japan, plan to go watch a baseballProfessional Baseball, started in 1920. It is called
game near you. You can contact each team'sPuro Yakyu (????), meaning Professional Baseball.
ballpark. Here are the details of the main teamsIn 2005 the Japan Samurai Bears began play in
stadiums:the Golden Baseball League, becoming the first
Central LeagueJapanese team in an American professional
Yomiuri Giants Ballpark: Tokyo Domebaseball league.
Chunichi Dragons Ballpark: Nagoya Dome