Tohoku Rakuten Eagles: "Rakuten Eagles Cup Junior High School Hardball baseball Tournament 2026 Supported by Choei Kogyo" to be held

Rakuten Eagles will hold the "Rakuten Eagles Cup Junior High School Hardball Baseball Tournament 2026 Supported by Choei Kogyo" on Saturday, November 14, Sunday, November 15, and Saturday, November 21, at Rakuten Mobile Saikyo Park Miyagi, Rakuten Eagles Rifu Stadium (Rifu Town Chuo Park ball park), and Kanan Chuo Park ball park.

This tournament is held as an event to determine the No. 1 team of the generation, bringing together 16 teams representing various junior high school hardball baseball leagues in Tohoku across their respective boundaries. By promoting extensive interaction among top-level players in Tohoku, the tournament aims to provide dreams and hope to junior high school baseball players in their growth period, contributing to the healthy physical and mental growth and the acquisition of skills through sports.

Saitama Seibu Lions' Junichiro Kishi completes surgery

Saitama Seibu Lions announced that player Junichiro Kishi underwent surgery. The procedure was a "left cervical endoscopic foraminotomy" aimed at improving cervical symptoms, and he is expected to take two months to return.

Saitama Seibu Lions: Press conference held after contract negotiations for 4th-round draft pick Ryo Tanaka

Saitama Seibu Lions held a press conference following contract negotiations with Ryo Tanaka of Nihon University Third High School, whose negotiating rights were acquired as the fourth-round pick in the 'Professional baseball Draft Meeting supported by Lipovitan D.' Tanaka commented, 'Right now, I feel like I just have to go for it. For the past few days, I have been feeling restless while imagining myself after joining the team. In two or three years, I want to become a player who can anchor the lineup and contribute to the team's win. Before moving into the dormitory, I want to work on increasing my muscle mass while losing a bit of weight to get my body in top shape for the start of the joint rookie independent training.'

Fukuoka Softbank's Nao Higashihama has been transferred to Hiroshima via trade.

Fukuoka Softbank announced that they have reached an agreement with Hiroshima regarding the transfer of pitcher Nao Higashihama via a free trade.

Pitcher Nao Higashihama, who joined Fukuoka Softbank as the first-round draft pick in 2012, established himself in the starting rotation in 2016 and won the title for most wins the following year in 2017 with 16 victories. In 2022, he also achieved the first no hitter by a player from Okinawa. In his 14th season this year, he had no first-team appearances for the first time since turning professional, and in the farm league, he recorded 6 wins and 4 losses with an ERA of 2.37 in 12 games.

▼Pitcher Nao Higashihama Comment▼
"Looking back on my 14 years with The Hawks, so many things happened. There are happy memories and many painful ones as well. I believe each and every one of them has made me who I am today. What stands out most is winning the title for most wins in 2017 and the team winning the league championship.

Also, being entrusted as the opening day pitcher in 2020, when the season opener was postponed to June due to the COVID-19 pandemic, is an unforgettable experience for me. The reason I have been able to walk this path as a player for The Hawks until now is thanks to the managers, coaches, staff members who supported me, and above all, the fans who gave me warm encouragement at all times. I have nothing but feelings of gratitude. Thank you very much.

Speaking of the Carp, who I will be joining, the passionate cheers of the fans filling the stands in bright red are very impressive. I want to make the most of the experience I have cultivated so far and do my absolute best to be of even a little help to the Carp."

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