JapanBall

01/14/2026

Happy retirement to 37-year-old Hirokazu Sawamura!

Sawamura made his NPB debut with the Yomiuri Giants in 2011 and was named the CL Rookie of the Year after posting a 2.03 ERA in 29 starts. In 2012, he contributed to the team’s Japan Series triumph. He later became a successful reliever and was traded to the Chiba Lotte Marines in 2020.

In 2021, he signed a two-year, $3 million contract with the Boston Red Sox and was solid with a 3.39 ERA and 101 strikeouts across 103.2 innings. He returned to Chiba in 2023, where he finished his career.

01/12/2026

The Next Wave from NPB to MLB

How Nippon Professional Baseball stars Munetaka Murakami, Tatsuya Imai, and Kazuma Okamoto will fare in Major League Baseball remains to be seen, but their decisions have already defied expectations, as all three signed with teams not traditionally associated with Asian talent. Murakami is the first...

01/09/2026

Our 2026 edition of the Travel Guide to Japanese Baseball is out now on the JapanBall shop!

Author Gabe Lerman shares 145+ pages of expert knowledge on teams, ballparks, and cities, along with a foreword by JapanBall owner Shane Barclay. Whether you’re planning a trip or exploring from home, this guide is your all-in-one companion to Japanese baseball!

In this short video, Gabe gives his take on one thing he likes and dislikes about each of the Central League stadiums.

travelguide sports

01/08/2026

Our friends at Ballpark Blueprints honored our request for this awesome historic Hiroshima Municipal Stadium shirt!

Get yours here 👇

This 100% preshrunk cotton tee looks as great as it feels. This heavyweight t-shirt features a crew neck and lay flat collar, making it comfortable, durable and the perfect choice for your online T-shirt collection.

01/06/2026

Great story on The Japan Times

Girls inspired by Shohei Ohtani leading Japan’s next wave of two-way players

Against the odds, players such as Ayuri Shimano and Aika Morimoto are forging a new path for women’s baseball.

01/04/2026

Murakami, Imai, Okamoto Sign MLB Deals

Munetaka Murakami, Kazuma Okamoto, and Tatsuya Imai each signed with an American League club Happy New Year! The wait is over for Munetaka Murakami, Tatsuya Imai, and Kazuma Okamoto, as we learned over the holidays where each of the former Nippon Professional Baseball talents will be playing in Majo...

01/03/2026

Congratulations to Kazuma Okamoto on signing a 4 year, $60 million contract with the Toronto Blue Jays!

Okamoto departs Japan after blasting 248 home runs in his NPB career, cementing his legacy as one of the great sluggers in Yomiuri Giants history. Now, the 29-year-old franchise icon takes the next step in his career, heading to Canada 🇨🇦

01/02/2026

Congratulations to Tatsuya Imai on signing a 3 year deal with the Houston Astros that maxes out at $63 million and contains opt outs!

We saw the Saitama Seibu Lions ace pitch in front of his home fans on our NPB Main Tour in May!

12/28/2025

Happy 54th birthday to Benny Agbayani 🎉

Born in Honolulu, Hawaii, Agbayani is of Filipino, Samoan, and Hawaiian descent. He played five MLB seasons with the New York Mets, Colorado Rockies, and Boston Red Sox before making his way to Japan to join the Chiba Lotte Marines in 2004.

Benny would go on to hit .283/.374/.468 in six NPB seasons with the Marines under the management of Bobby Valentine, contributing to a 2005 Japan Series title to end the team’s 31 year championship drought. He was also named MVP of the Asia Series that year.

12/25/2025

The JapanBall family wishes you a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

12/23/2025

🎄 Hope everyone has a Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays!

⚾️ Baseball season is right around the corner!

12/22/2025

We saw the newest member of the Chicago ,!Munetaka Murakami, hit this home run to dead center in Yokohama during our September Mini Tour!