More Sports Oct 19, 2020
NPB-J. League COVID-19 task force to take more data-oriented approach to virus issue
by Kaz Nagatsuka
The sports bodies have sought input from epidemiologists and other experts as they seek ways to boost attendance at games.
Baseball / Japanese Baseball Sep 12, 2020
NPB to begin allowing more fans on Sept. 19
by Kaz Nagatsuka
It will be up to each club to decide how many fans will be allowed to attend their home games.
More Sports Sep 7, 2020
NPB, J. League will ask Japan's government to relax attendance limits
by Kaz Nagatsuka
The existing cap of 5,000 attendees doesn’t account for the varying capacities and seating arrangements of the stadiums in each circuit.
Sports Aug 24, 2020
League bosses urge against COVID-related discrimination
by Kaz Nagatsuka
The heads of NPB and the J. League took a strong stance on the issue following reports of discrimination against staff and families at teams with infections.
More Sports Jul 6, 2020
NPB and J. League moving ahead with plans to allow fans
by Kaz Nagatsuka
Nippon Professional Baseball and the J. League will allow up to 5,000 fans to attend games starting Friday.
Baseball / Japanese Baseball | NPB May 25, 2020
NPB can play ball in Japan from June 19, but minus fans
by Kaz Nagatsuka
The Japanese baseball season, which was scheduled to open in late March, will be reduced from 143 games to about 120.
Baseball / Japanese Baseball May 13, 2020
BayStars owner says NPB facing unprecedented situation with pandemic
by Kaz Nagatsuka
The owners of the 12 NPB clubs recognize the league could face a “critical situation” due to the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak, Yokohama DeNA BayStars owner Tomoko Namba said on Tuesday. Speaking in an online news conference after an extraordinary owners meeting, Namba said ...
More Sports May 11, 2020
NPB, J. League remain in holding pattern after latest task force meeting
by Kaz Nagatsuka
A medical panel advised the two circuits to continue to wait before setting firm dates to resume play.
More Sports Apr 23, 2020
NPB and J. League noncommittal on return to action after virus task force meeting
by Kaz Nagatsuka and Dan Orlowitz
NPB and J. League officials are consulting with medical experts as they try to get their teams back on the field of play
Japanese Baseball Apr 17, 2020
NPB cancels interleague play as delay to start of season continues
by Kaz Nagatsuka
The announcement by league commissioner Atsushi Saito meant that Central and Pacific League clubs would not play each other during the regular season for the first time since the format was established in 2005.
Japanese Baseball Apr 8, 2020
NPB closes main office, announces further delays to season after emergency declaration
by Jason Coskrey
Like many other organizations in Japan, professional baseball is adjusting to the state of emergency declared Tuesday by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to combat the spread of the coronavirus. The declaration covers seven prefectures, including Tokyo, and will be in effect until at least May ...
Baseball / Japanese Baseball | Sac Bunts Apr 4, 2020
NPB has to be flexible in approach to opening day
by Jason Coskrey
Former NPB Commissioner Ryozo Kato used to joke that Japanese baseball was similar to a large boat in the middle of the ocean. You can make it change directions, sure, but it's going to be a slow and labored process. Kato has been gone since 2013, ...