Kiyomiya shows off power on farm
After a slow start to his first season as a professional, Kotaro Kiyomiya provided fans with a small glimpse of what made him the most sought-after player in last fall's NPB draft. The Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters rookie hit his first two pro home runs ...
NPB stars look to build momentum in spring
While most baseball fans know spring numbers should be taken with a grain of salt, some players make it hard to remember at times. Because however meaningless the actual numbers are during this time of year, the process is still fun to watch. One of ...
Now or never for Dragons hurler Daisuke Matsuzaka
Daisuke Matsuzaka stepped into the bullpen for the first time during camp on Friday and threw 32 pitches in his still unfamiliar white No. 99 Chunichi Dragons uniform. "I'm getting better, I was able to throw more than planned," Matsuzaka was quoted as saying to ...
Japan's Hall of Fame players deserve own moment in sun
For all the ideas Japanese baseball has lifted from its MLB counterpart in North America, it's surprising a proper Hall of Fame ceremony hasn't been one of them. This year's Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame class was a doozy, including among others, former Hanshin Tigers ...
Lions no strangers to posting system
While some NPB teams, such as the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks, may scoff at the posting system, don't count the Seibu Lions among them. The Lions have used the posting system more than any other NPB team so far, and put pitcher Kazuhisa Makita up for ...
Hawks catch break with Yanagita
On one hand, Yuki Yanagita will be one of the most well-paid players in Japan next season. On the other, he'll be kind of a steal. While Shohei Ohtani didn't go to the majors for money, Yanagita's new NPB deal with the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks ...
Japanese players stay in swing of things even during winter
While it might be the time of year when temperatures are a little cooler and the regular season for almost every major baseball league is weeks in the rearview mirror, that doesn't mean there aren't a host of players still darting around a diamond ...
BayStars closer Yasuaki Yamasaki embraces pressure of must-win games
The BayStars fans at Yokohama Stadium know what to expect when the team enters the bottom of the ninth inning with a small lead. It's Yasuaki time. When Yokohama closer Yasuaki Yamasaki comes out of the bullpen and heads to the mound, it is one of ...
Kajitani, BayStars remain positive as series resumes in Yokohama
Despite his team getting off to an 0-2 start in the ongoing Japan Series, Yokohama BayStars outfielder Takayuki Kajitani held his head up high as the series resumed at Yokohama Stadium for Tuesday's Game 3. In Sunday's Game 2 at Yafuoku Dome, Yokohama lost 4-3 ...
Hawks believe quick-strike offense a big key to Japan Series success
The Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks will try to strike first, scoring runs early, so they can play their own brand of ball in the 2017 Japan Series. Before Saturday's Game 1 of the NPB championship series, Hawks hitting coach Hiroshi Fujimoto said that the Hawks would ...
Otani gets back on the hill as questions about future persist
Shohei Otani returned to the mound after a long absence on Thursday night. Now the question is this: How many more times will Japanese fans see the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters sensation take the mound on home soil? The same questions swirled around former Fighters ace ...
Shohei Otani has been on fire this month. The issues stemming from the injuries that have mostly kept the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters' two-way star off the mound have allowed the 23-year old to showcase his batting skills, in case there were still any doubts ...
