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Explore Okinawa: Japanese pro baseball training camps begin

  • Published
  • By Naoto Anazawa
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  On Feb. 1, Japanese professional baseball spring training camps started in Okinawa and Ishigaki, Kumejima Island.

Nine baseball teams train throughout February each year in preparation for opening day, which is scheduled for March 27, the day that both the Central League and the Pacific League commence.

The teams train on Okinawa because of the mild climate, and many of the professional baseball teams are able to hold practice games with the numerous professional teams in the area that are available as well as the abundance of sports facilities.

Once spring training is underway, professional baseball fans flock to their favorite teams' training ground to look at the training conditions.

It is free to tour the spring training camps and a great opportunity for fans of Japanese professional baseball to see exhibition games played between their favorite baseball teams.

On the main island of Okinawa, there are the training camps for teams including the Yomiuri Giants, which aims its fourth consecutive victory in the leagues, the Yokohama DeNA Baystars, the Hanshin Tigers, the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters, the Hiroshima Toyo Carp, the Chunichi Dragons and the Tokyo Yakult Swallows. On the more remote islands the training camps of teams such as the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles and the Chiba Lotte Marines can be seen.

Spring Camp Information:

Nippon-Ham Fighters
Location: Nago, Okinawa
Stadium: Nago Municipal Baseball Stadium
From Feb. 1-28

Hanshin Tigers
Location: Ginoza, Okinawa
Stadium: Ginoza Municipal Baseball Stadium
From Feb. 1-25

Chunichi Dragons (minor team)
Location: Yomitan, Okinawa
Stadium: Yomitan Heiwa no Mori Baseball Stadium
From Feb. 1-26

Yokohama DeNA Baystars (minor team)
Location: Kadena, Okinawa
Stadium: Kadena Municipal Baseball Stadium
From Feb. 1-24

Hiroshima Toyo Carp
Location: Okinawa City, Okinawa
Stadium: Koza Shinkin Baseball Stadium
From Feb. 16 to March 2

Chunichi Dragons
Location: Chatan, Okinawa
Stadium: Chatan Park Baseball Stadium
From Feb. 1-26

Yokohama DeNA Baystars
Location: Ginowan, Okinawa
Stadium: Ginowan Municipal Baseball Stadium
From Feb. 1 to March 1

Tokyo Yakult Swallows
Location: Urasoe, Okinawa
Stadium: Urasoe Municipal Baseball Stadium
From Feb. 1-26

Yomiuri Giants
Location: Naha, Okinawa
Stadium: Okinawa Cellular Stadium Naha
From Feb. 16-26

Chiba Lotte Marines
Location: Ishigaki, Okinawa
Stadium: Ishigaki Central Sports Park Baseball Stadium
From Feb. 1-20

Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles
Location: Kumejima, Okinawa
Stadium: Kumejima Stadium
From Feb. 1-12