The NPB Junior Tournament KONAMI CUP 2025, a tournament to determine the No. 1 junior team for fifth and sixth graders, will be held at Meiji Jingu Stadium and Yokohama Stadium from Friday, December 26th. This year marks the 21st time the tournament has been held, and a total of 16 junior teams will compete for the title of Japan's best over four days from December 26th.

Pacific League Insight introduces the junior teams of the six Pacific League teams participating in the tournament. We also interviewed the managers of each team about their team's strengths and players to watch.

The goal is the "The Marines Junior" to win their second championship since 2010

Under the team slogan "All for the sake of winning," the team is looking for players who can turn everything into energy for win, face themselves, and consistently perform at a high level. 16 players were selected from approximately 800 applicants after a selection process.

The manager will be Hiroyuki Kobayashi (former club member and The Marines Baseball Academy technical coach), who will be in his first role in two years since 2023, and the coaches will be Yusuke Kurita (same academy technical coach) and Naoto Ogawa (same academy technical coach).

The 16 players selected for 2025 are as follows:

(number / Name / How to read / Team / Hometown / Position / Appeal Points)

#1 Yu Kasuya Marine School District Sports Boys' Team / Chiba Prefecture / Inner
" defense has a wide range and stable defense, and he has the strength to score in opportunities even when hitting. As a captain, I inspire my teammates with my actions and voice, and lead the team."
#2 Aoi Sanpei Kikari The Fighters / Chiba / Catch, Inside, Outside
"As a regular catcher, he pulls the entire pitcher formation and the game, has strong shoulders, and has a high stolen base blocking rate from a stable throw. A batter who can be expected to hit even one shot as the main axis in batting."
#4 Meisa Kawano ASAIKIDS☆UNITED / Chiba / Inner
"The only female player on the team, and her stable and supple defense is attractive. I expect a hit that will give the team momentum with skillful bat control and a bold swing."
#6 Shohei Kataoka Inaoka Bears / Chiba / Pitching / Outside
"A powerful ball that has reach and can be thrown from a high position is a weapon. He is a key player in the team both offensively and defensively."
#9 Shinnosuke Shoji Isobe Sharks / Chiba / Pitching, Inside, Outside
"In pitcher, there are many struck out with powerful balls. A utility player who can defend anywhere, whether infield or outfield. Running, attacking, and defending are all the keys to offense and defense."
#11 Rio Iidaka Higashi Kane Higashi Club / Chiba / Pitching, Inside, Outside
"His good control and punching pitch are attractive, and he actively calls out to his teammates even in a pinch, brightening up the atmosphere of the team."
#16 Shoma Takatsu Yakuendai Little Star / Chiba / Throw, Catch, Inside
pitcher has the lowest ERA and almost no errors even with fielder. You can expect to hit from small skills to long hits, and you can attack with quick feet and mobility."
#17 Kaito Tanaka Sanmaibashi The Fighters / Saitama / Throwing, Caching, Inside, Outside
"He leads the team as a key point in defense with a stable defense. He is quick on his feet and can develop attacks that take advantage of his mobility."
#18 Aoi Ichikawa Imai Junior Beavers / Chiba / Inside and outside
"The key to infield. Stable defense. The sure hitting that can be deftly hit at a wide angle as a left-handed hitter is also attractive."
#21 Hikaru Shimomuro Kitagawaguchi Attackers / Saitama / Pitching / Outside
"Team NO. 1 left-hander. hitter A weapon is an angled ball that can be inserted into it. He is a power hitter who can be expected to hit even one shot, and you can expect to make chances."
#22 Shun Kojima Ariyoshi Mets / Chiba / Catch, Inside, Outside
"He has a strong sense of hitting and playing with all his might without cutting corners until the end."
#25 Yuito Yamada Mama Western / Chiba / Inside and outside
"Always have a full swing that is exciting!
#27 Arata Furukawa ASAIKIDS☆UNITED / Chiba / Cast / Outside
" outfielder has a wide range of defense and a stable and secure defense. In pitcher, it is characterized by pitching that allows you to hit with a punchy fastball. He is the team's No. 1 quickness and can attack with mobility."
#30 Yuzuku Kitamura Masuo Red Stars / Chiba / Pitching, Inside, Outside
It is divided into a wide angle as "Left Cannon! left-handed hitter, and its weapons are meat power and slugging power. A batter with a high on-base percentage and competitive strength with tenacious hitting."
#52 Kiki Masuda Aioi The Eagles / Tokyo / Pitching, Inside, Outside
"He has a bold defense and a mental strength that shows his strength in these situations. As a vice-captain, he leads his teammates with his voice and brings momentum to the team."
#99 Shuto Sugaya Kyowa Kotoda Sports Boys / Chiba / Pitching, Inside, Outside
"As a pitcher, he has stable control and calm play even in high-pressure situations.

・Captain... #1 Yu Kasuya

"The greatest strength is baseball basics of catching and throwing" - Coach Kobayashi talks about the strengths of the 2025 The Marines Junior

We asked Coach Kobayashi about the strengths of the 2025 The Marines Juniors.

"After all, the biggest strength is the basic part of baseball, which is 'taking and throwing'. There are players who can throw strong balls between the bases, so even when you look at the catch ball, you can feel the movement and good balance. I think that is the foundation of the team.
Also, there are many players who have played pitcher and catcher, so there are many children with strong shoulders and good ball quality. This year, there are also players who have fast feet, fast swing speed, and other weapons. I think there are players who can contribute to the team in various ways, not just throwing and defending, and that is the strength of the current team."

He also talked about the players to watch, #6片岡選手, #17田中選手, and #16髙津選手の3選手をあげ.

"Kataoka has a big body, can throw fast, and can hit it. Not only can you swing the bat hard, but you can also throw the ball, using your whole body to put force on the ball. I feel that there is something natural about that part."

"Tanaka and Takatsu are very good at their movements, their feet are fast, and I can feel a sense of baseball when I look at them. Although he is still thin, he is a player who can do a lot of things in addition to infielder in games and practice matches, and he also entrusts pitcher. It doesn't feel like it's completed at this stage, but it's a material that will grow even more as your body builds up and gains experience. That's what I'm most looking forward to."

Finally, when asked about his enthusiasm for the NPB Junior Tournament, which will start soon,

"I think preparation is more important than results, and I have been practicing so hard so that I don't think, 'I should have done that' later. I hope you will take the plunge and enjoy playing in the actual game."

Please pay attention to the heated battle of The Marines Junior led by Coach Kobayashi.

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"NPB Junior Tournament"
With the desire to "make the goal of 'dreaming of becoming a professional baseball' closer to children Japan the National Tournament of Soft baseball by 5th and 6th graders is sponsored and held by the baseball Organization (NPB) and 12 professional baseball teams. A total of 16 junior teams, selected and organized by 12 NPB clubs, NPB Farm regular season 2 participating clubs, Japan independent league baseball organizational member leagues, will compete for the Japan place on the stage of the stadium where the professional team is based. It is a tournament that can be said to be the "gateway to professional success" that has produced many professional baseball players so far, and this year is the 21st time it has been held.

"NPB Junior Tournament KONAMI CUP 2025"
◯ Schedule
December 26 (Fri) ~ December 29 (Mon) 4 days
◯ Venue
Meiji Jingu Stadium: December 26 (Fri) ~ 29 (Mon) *No reserve days
Yokohama Stadium: December 26 (Fri) ~ 28 (Sun) *Reserve day 29 (Mon)
◯General admission
Free to watch
◯Click here for details

Text: Sari Ikeda