Introduction to Nippon Professional Baseball
An intro to Japanese baseball from an American’s point of view
Writers Note: Like most people outside Japan I have limited knowledge of Japanese, but that isn’t required to enjoy NPB (although it does help) and I will include Japanese text as it will help searching about the league.
Nippon Professional Baseball (日本野球機構), affectionately called Puro Yakyū (プロ野球) or “professional baseball” in Japan, is the highest level of play in Japan. The NPB, similar to MLB pre re-alignment, is made of of two leagues (Central and Pacific) that act semi-independently of one another. Each league is made up of six teams located throughout Japan, about a third of the total clubs are located in the Greater Tokyo Area.
The NPB season begins each February with spring training, this season teams were allowed to play pre-season games between 23-Feb and 21-Mar. Following spring training the leagues 143 game regular season begins, in 2022 Opening Day for both the Central and Pacific Leagues was on the 25th of March. Interleague play is done during one specific time frame each season, that being 24th of May through the 12th of June in 2022. Just like with most leagues the NPB does have an All-Star Game, rather than a single game it is done as a two game series. On July 26th the Fukuoka PayPay Dome (home of the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks) will host the first game, while the next day Matsuyama Central Park Baseball Stadium (or known as Matsuyama Botchan Stadium) on the Island of Shikoku will host the second game.
Shikoku Island is the only of Japan’s main four islands that does not have a team in Nippon Professional Baseball. Instead the island contains it’s own four team league, the Shikoku Island League Plus. The Ehime Mandarin Pirates of that league play their home games out of Botchan Stadium, where the NPB’s second game of the All-Star Game series will be played. An introduction to the Shikoku Island League Plus will happen closer to the league’s start date.
At the end of the season the top three teams in each the Central and Pacific Leagues qualify for the Climax Series, NPB’s version of the playoffs. The first round sees the #2 and #3 seeds in each league face each other in a Best of Three series in the “First Stage”. The First Stage winners advance to the “Final Stage” of the Climax Series to face their respective league’s regular season champion. The series is played to a Best of Six format with the champion being awarded a one game advantage over the First Stage winner. This requires the lower seed to win four games to advance while the higher seed only needs three wins.
The two League Champions then participate in a Best of Seven championship series, the Nippon Series (also called Japan Series). The Nippon Series is played in a 2–3–2 format with the host of each set rotating each year. The series is also always played until a team wins four games, which can exceed seven games as during the regular season, Climax Series, and through Game Seven of the Nippon Series, games are considered tied if they go through 12 innings without a winner. At that point an eighth game (or longer) would be played, which do not have a limit on innings played.
One other change from the NPB, a feature similar to most non-North American leagues, is the limitations on foreign players. Currently no more than four players, who must be a mix of pitchers and fielders, are allowed on a clubs 25 man game day roster.
Nippon Professional Baseball clubs
Central League
Chunichi Dragons (中日ドラゴンズ)
Founded: 1936
Location: Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture
Stadium: Vantelin Dome Nagoya
Year Opened: 1997
Capacity: 40,500
Fences: 100m (328.1 ft), 122m (400.3 ft), (328.1 ft)
History: Founded in 1936 the Dragons played in the old JBL until the founding of the NPB in 1950. Unlike many teams in Japan, the club has held the same name and played in the same city for most of their 86 year history. Chunichi has won 9 Central League pennants, 2 Nippon Series, and the 2007 Asia Series. Current Yankees pitcher Joely Rodríguez spent the 2018 and 2019 seasons in Japan with the Dragons.
Hanshin Tigers (阪神タイガース)
Founded: 1935
Location: Nishinomiya, Hyōgo Prefecture
Stadium: Hanshin Koshien Stadium
Year Opened: 1924 (renovated and expanded 2007–10)
Capacity: 47,508
Fences: 95m (312 ft), 118m (387 ft), 95m (312 ft),
History: Similar to the Chunichi Dragons, the Hanshin Electric Railway owned club played their first season in 1936 in the JBL. The Tigers are the only team founded before the creation of NPB to still be playing in their original city and stadium. The Tigers are long considered to be the Boston Red Sox of the Central League and of NPB. The Tigers, like the Red Sox, have always had to battle a more popular team (Yomiuri Giants and New York Yankees respectively). Hanshin also at one point was consistently winning championships, having won four JBL titles, five Central League pennants, but only one Nippon Series back in 1985.
Hiroshima Toyo Carp (広島東洋カープ)
Founded: 1949
Location: Hiroshima, Hiroshima Prefecture
Stadium: Mazda Stadium Hiroshima
Year Opened: 2009
Capacity: 32,000
Fences: 101m (331 ft), 122m (400 ft), 100m (328 ft)
History: Owned by Mazda and the Matsuda family, founded in December of 1949 the Carp were established as part of the rebuilding of the city after the atomic bombings in 1945. The Carp have played in Hiroshima their entire history, albeit in three different ballparks. Hiroshima has won 9 Central League pennants and 3 Nippon Series, with the last coming in 1984. Current Major Leaguers, Kenta Maeda (Minnesota Twins) and Seiya Suzuki (Chicago Cubs) played for the Carp before heading to MLB.
Tokyo Yakult Swallows (東京ヤクルトスワローズ)
Founded: 1950
Location: Shinjuku, Tokyo
Stadium: Meiji Jingu Stadium
Year Opened: 1926
Capacity: 37,933
Fences: 97.5m (320 ft), 120m (394 ft), 97.5m (320 ft)
History: Founded in 1950 for the first NPB and Central League season and owned by the Yakult Corporation since 1970. Outside of an eight season span being called the Atoms the club has carried the Swallows name their entire existence. The Swallows have made their Meiji Jingu Stadium their home since 1964 after they moved from Korakuen Stadium due to both Yomiuri Giants and Toei Flyers (now the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters) also playing at the ballpark. The Swallows have won 8 Central League pennants and 6 Nippon Series titles, including both of those in 2021.
Yokohama DeNA BayStars (横浜DeNAベイスターズ)
Founded: 1949
Location: Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture
Stadium: Yokohama Stadium
Year Opened: 1978 (Renovated 2007)
Capacity: 34,046
Fences: 94m (308.4 ft), 118m (387.1 ft), 94m (308.4 ft)
History: The professional team now known as the BayStars were founded in 1949 as the Taiyō Whales for the NPB and Central League’s initial season. For their first three seasons the Whales played out of Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi Prefecture before moving to Osaka for their fourth and fifth seasons where they played as the Taiyo Shochiku Robins (1953) and Yosho Robins (1954). In 1955 the team moved once again, this time to Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture where they played out of Kawasaki Stadium as the Taiyō Whales through 1977. In 1978 they moved to Yokohama and were renamed the Yokohama Taiyō Whales. Since November 1992 when Taiyō changed their corporate name the Whales were renamed Yokohama BayStars for 1993 before being renamed the Yokohama DeNA BayStars for 2012. The BayStars have only won the Central League pennant and the Nippon Series twice each, happening in 1960 and 1998. Current Major Leaguers, Yuli Gurriel (1B, Houston Astros) and Yoshitomo Tsutsugo (1B, Pittsburgh Pirates) played for the BayStars.
Yomiuri Giants (読売ジャイアンツ)
Founded: 1934
Location: Bunkyō, Tokyo
Stadium: Tokyo Dome
Year Opened: 1988
Capacity: 45,600
Fences: 100.28 m (329 ft), 121.92m (400 ft), 100.28 m (329 ft)
History: Founded in 1934 as an independent club by Matsutarō Shōriki (founder of conservative newspaper Yomiuri Shimbun, for whom the team is named after) as the The Greater Japan Tokyo Baseball Club; the club played as an independent touring team for two seasons before the formation of the Japanese Baseball League. When the JBL started in 1936 the club was renamed Tokyo Kyojin (also called Tokyo Giants by non-Japanese) and joined the new JBL. In 1938 the Giants would move into Korakuen Stadium, staying there for over 50 years and in 1947 they would be renamed to the Yomiuri Giants. In 1950 the Giants joined Nippon Professional Baseball and the newly founded Central League where they have played ever since. Following the 1987 season the Giants left Korakuen Stadium for the brand new Tokyo Dome, where they have played since 1988. In their near 90 year history the Giants have won 9 JBL titles, 38 Central League pennants, and 22 Nippon Series. Baseball world record home run leader Sadaharu Oh spent his entire career with Yomiuri hitting 868 home runs during his playing career.
Pacific League
Chiba Lotte Marines (千葉ロッテマリーンズ)
Founded: 1950
Location: Chiba, Chiba Prefecture
Stadium: ZOZO Marine Stadium
Year Opened: 1990
Capacity: 30,118
Fences: 99.5m (326.4 ft),122m (400.3 ft), 99.5m (326.4 ft)
History: Founded in 1950 as an inaugural member of the Pacific League as the Mainichi Orions., The Marines have moved quite a bit in comparison to most Central League clubs and are one of just three active NPB clubs who have merged with another team and still exist. In 1958 the then named Mainichi Orions merged with the Daiei Unions (a product of a merger in 1957 between the Daiei Stars and Takahashi Unions) to form the Mainichi Daiei Orions. The Orions called Korakuen Stadium their home from 1950–1962 before moving to Tokyo Stadium when it was completed in May of 1962. In 1964 the Orions would be renamed from Mainichi Daiei to Tokyo, a moniker they would keep until 1969 when they would take on the Lotte moniker. In 1973 they would move to Miyagi Baseball Stadium, playing in Sendai through 1977 when they relocated to Kawasaki Stadium. In 1992 the Orions would move to Chiba and the nearly brand new Chiba Marine Stadium, at the same time they would be rebranded the Chiba Lotte Marines. The Marines have won 5 Pacific League pennants and 4 Nippon Series, including the inaugural edition of each in 1950. Current Red Sox pitcher Hirokazu Sawamura played for the Marines in 2020 before heading to Boston.
Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks (福岡ソフトバンクホークス)
Founded: 1938
Location: Fukuoka, Fukuoka Prefecture
Stadium: Fukuoka PayPay Dome
Year Opened: 1993
Capacity: 38,561
Fences: 100m (328 ft),122m (400.3 ft), 100m (328 ft)
History: Founded in 1938 by the Nankai Electric Railway Company in the JBL, the club has held the names Hawks since 1947. The Hawks joined the NPB and Pacific League for it’s creation in 1950. From 1950 until 1988 the Hawks called Osaka Stadium their home until being purchased by department store chain Daiei ahead of the 1989 season. For ’89 the Hawks moved from Osaka to Fukuoka’s Heiwadai Stadium, where they played until the Fukuoka Dome opened in 1993. In early 2005 SoftBank purchased the Hawks and renamed them to the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks from the Fukuoka Daiei Hawks. Fukuoka has won two JBL championships, 19 Pacific League pennants, and 11 Nippon Series.
Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters (北海道日本ハムファイターズ)
Founded: 1945
Location: Sapporo, Hokkaido
Stadium: Sapporo Dome
Year Opened: 2001
Capacity: 42,270
Fences: 100m (328 ft),122m (400.3 ft), 100m (328 ft)
History: Founded in 1938 by the Nankai Electric Railway Company in the JBL, the club has held the names Hawks since 1947. The Hawks joined the NPB and Pacific League for it’s creation in 1950. From 1950 until 1988 the Hawks called Osaka Stadium their home until being purchased by department store chain Daiei ahead of the 1989 season. For ’89 the Hawks moved from Osaka to Fukuoka’s Heiwadai Stadium, where they played until the Fukuoka Dome opened in 1993. In early 2005 SoftBank purchased the Hawks and renamed them to the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks from the Fukuoka Daiei Hawks. Fukuoka has won two JBL championships, 19 Pacific League pennants, and 11 Nippon Series. Los Angeles Angels two-way pitcher Shohei Ohtani played for the Fighters for five seasons before heading to Major League Baseball.
Orix Buffaloes (オリックス・バファローズ)
Founded: 2004*
Location: Osaka, Osaka Prefecture
Stadium: Kyocera Dome Osaka*
Year Opened: 1997
Capacity: 36,267
Fences: 100m (328 ft),122m (400.3 ft), 100m (328 ft)
History: The Orix Buffaloes are one of two clubs still active in NPB that are the result of a merger. Following the 2004 season the Orix BlueWave (whom Ichiro Suzuki played for) merged with the Kintetsu Buffaloes to form the Orix Buffaloes. From 1936–1990 the BlueWave were known as the Braves and called Nishinomiya, Hyōgo Prefecture and Hankyu Nishinomiya Stadium their home. In 1991 the club were renamed the BlueWave and moved 35km (21.748 miles) down the road to Kobe Sports Park Baseball Stadium, where they would stay until merging with Kintetsu.
Kintetsu was another Osaka area club and had been named at times the Pearls and Buffalo before settling on Buffaloes in 1962. They called Nippon Life Stadium their home for most of their history, from 1958 to 1983 before they moved back to Fujiidera Stadium, where they played in 1950, in 1984. The Buffaloes remained in Fujiidera until the Osaka Dome opened in 1997.
When the BlueWave and Buffaloes merged for 2005 they played out of the Kyocera Dome Osaka that season before playing at Kobe Sports Park Baseball Stadium in 2006 then heading back to Osaka in 2007. Since then their primary home has been Osaka Dome with occasional games being played at Hotto Motto Field Kobe, in 2022 they’ll play eight home games in Kobe.
Prior to the merger the Orix Braves/BlueWave won 12 Pacific League pennants and four Nippon Series, Kintetsu won four Pacific League pennants and lost all four Nippon Series they played in. Since merging the Orix Buffaloes have only won a single Pacific League pennant.
Saitama Seibu Lions (埼玉西武ライオンズ)
Founded: 1950
Location: Tokorozawa, Saitama Prefecture
Stadium: Belluna Dome
Year Opened: 1979
Capacity: 33,921
Fences: 100m (328 ft),122m (400.3 ft), 100m (328 ft)
History: Founded in 1950 by the Nishi-Nippon Railroad for the Pacific League’s first season as the Nishitetsu Clippers, the Fukuoka based club called Heiwadai Stadium their home for their first 29 years. After just one season the Clippers merged with the Nishi-Nippon Pirates and became the Nishitetsu Lions. During the 1970’s the club would be renamed twice (Taiheiyo Club Lions in 1973 and Crown Lighter Lions in 1977) before moving from Fukuoka to Tokorozawa’s new Seibu Lions Stadium (now the Belluna Dome) and being christened the Seibu Lions. In 2008 the Lions added the prefecture name, Saitama, to their official name. In 72 seasons the Lions have won 23 Pacific League pennants and 13 Nippon Series, current Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Yusei Kikuchi spent eight seasons in Saitama with the Lions.
Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles (東北楽天ゴールデンイーグルス)
Founded: 2005
Location: Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture
Stadium: Rakuten Seimei Park Miyagi
Year Opened: 1950
Capacity: 30,508
Fences: 100.1m (328 ft),122m (400 ft), 100.1m (328 ft)
History: The newest team in the Pacific League and all of Nippon Professional Baseball, the Rakuten Eagles as they are known are result of a slot in the Pacific League opening after Orix and Kintetsu merged. In the 17 previous seasons the Eagles have earned just five berths into the Climax Series, the last in 2021, and have won a single Pacific League pennant and Nippon Series in 2013.