Query: professional baseball team in Japan

Relevant passages:
2014 Japan Series <=SEP=> The 2014 SMBC Japan Series was the 65th edition of Nippon Professional Baseball's (NPB) championship series known colloquially as the Japan Series. The best-of-seven playoff was won by the Pacific League champion Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks in five games over the Central League champion Hanshin Tigers. The series began on Saturday, October 25, 2014 and ended on Thursday, October 30, 2014 at the Fukuoka Dome in Fukuoka, Fukuoka Prefecture.

Akira Nakamura (baseball) <=SEP=> Akira Nakamura (中村 晃, born November 5, 1989 in Asaka, Saitama) is a Japanese professional baseball outfielder for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball.

Atlantic City Surf <=SEP=> The Atlantic City Surf were a professional baseball team based in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The Surf was most recently a member of the Can-Am League, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball. The Surf played its home games at Bernie Robbins Stadium, which was formerly known as "The Sandcastle".From 1998 to 2006, the Surf played in the South Division of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.

Atsuya Furuta <=SEP=> Atsuya Furuta (古田 敦也, b. August 6, 1965 in Kawanishi, Hyōgo) is a Japanese former baseball player and player-manager for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows professional baseball club in the Nippon Professional Baseball's Central League.  Drafted in the 2nd round in 1990, Furuta became a leader for the Swallows as a catcher and became the first player-manager in Japanese baseball in 29 years, since Katsuya Nomura in 1977.

Baseball awards <=SEP=> Professional baseball leagues, amateur-baseball organizations, sportswriting associations, and other groups confer awards on various baseball teams, players, managers, coaches, executives, broadcasters, writers, and other baseball-related people for excellence in achievement, sportsmanship, and community involvement.

Baseball in Japan <=SEP=> Baseball is one of the most popular sports in Japan. It was introduced in 1872 by an American, Horace Wilson, who was an English professor at the Kaisei School in Tokyo. The first baseball team was called the Shimbashi Athletic Club and was established in 1878. Baseball has been a popular sport ever since. It is called 野球 (やきゅう; yakyū) in Japanese, combining the characters for field and ball.

Brockton Rox <=SEP=> The Brockton Rox are a collegiate summer baseball team based in Brockton, Massachusetts, United States. Formerly a professional baseball franchise, the Rox were a member of the independent Canadian-American Association of Professional Baseball, from the 2003 through 2011 seasons. The Rox play their home games at Campanelli Stadium.

Camden Riversharks <=SEP=> The Camden Riversharks are an American  professional baseball team based in Camden, New Jersey.  They are a member of the Liberty Division of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball.  From the 2001 season to the present, the Riversharks have played their home games at Campbell's Field, which is situated at the base of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge.

Central League <=SEP=> The Central League (セントラル・リーグ, Sentoraru Rīgu) or Ce League (セリーグ, Se Rīgu) is one of the two professional baseball leagues that constitute Nippon Professional Baseball in Japan. The winner of the league championship plays against the winner of the Pacific League in the annual Japan Series. It currently consists of six teams from around the country. Unlike the Pacific League, designated hitters are not used during Central League home games.

Chiba Lotte Marines <=SEP=> The Chiba Lotte Marines (千葉ロッテマリーンズ, Chiba Rotte Marīnzu) are a professional baseball team in Japan's Pacific League based in Chiba City, Chiba Prefecture, in the Kantō region, and owned by the Lotte conglomerate.

Chinese Taipei national baseball team <=SEP=> The Chinese Taipei baseball team (Chinese: 中華臺北棒球代表隊; pinyin: Zhōnghuá Táiběi Bàngqiú Dàibiǎoduì), is the national team of Taiwan. It is governed by the Chinese Taipei Baseball Association. The team is recognized as one of the best national baseball teams. They are currently ranked fourth in the world by the International Baseball Federation, behind Cuba, United States and Japan respectively. They have consistently maintained top positions in international baseball competitions.

Chunichi Dragons <=SEP=> The Chunichi Dragons (中日ドラゴンズ, Chūnichi Doragonzu) are a professional baseball team based in Nagoya, the chief city in the Chubu "\Middle of Japan") region of Japan.  The team is in the Central League, and although they have had little success in the playoffs, they are still known as one of the most powerful teams in Nippon Professional Baseball. They won the 2007 Japan Series and 2007 Asia Series. They have a 2009 Nintendo Wii children's game based on the team called Doala de Wii.

Daiei Stars <=SEP=> The Daiei Stars (大映スターズ, Daiei Sutāzu) were a Japanese professional baseball team that was founded in 1946, and played in various incarnations until 1957. Overall, the franchise only had three winning seasons, never rising higher than third place. They were in the second division, or B-class, for seven seasons, including their last four years. The Stars played in Korakuen Stadium in Bunkyo, Tokyo.

Daisuke Matsuzaka <=SEP=> Daisuke Matsuzaka  (松坂 大輔, Matsuzaka Daisuke, born September 13, 1980) is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher for the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks. He has played for the Boston Red Sox, New York Mets and Cleveland Indians of Major League Baseball (MLB) and the Seibu Lions of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).Matsuzaka was selected the MVP of the inaugural and the second World Baseball Classic, and is an Olympic bronze medalist.

Eastern League (Japanese baseball) <=SEP=> The Eastern League (イースタン・リーグ) is one of the two minor leagues "\ni-gun") of Japanese professional baseball. The league is owned and managed by the Central League of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).

Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks <=SEP=> The Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks (福岡ソフトバンクホークス, Fukuoka Sofutobanku Hōkusu) are a Japanese baseball team based in Fukuoka, Fukuoka Prefecture. The team was bought on January 28, 2005 by the SoftBank Corporation.The team was formerly known as the Nankai Hawks and was based in Osaka. In 1988, Daiei bought the team from Osaka's Nankai Electric Railway Co., and its headquarters were moved to Fukuoka (which had been without NPB baseball since the Lions departed in 1979).

Gary SouthShore RailCats <=SEP=> The Gary SouthShore RailCats are a professional baseball team based in Gary, Indiana, in the United States. The RailCats are a member of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball. The RailCats have played their home games at the U.S. Steel Yard since 2002, when the team started as a member of the Northern League.

Hanshin Tigers <=SEP=> The Hanshin Tigers (阪神タイガース, Hanshin Taigāsu) are a Nippon Professional Baseball team playing in the Central League.  The team is based in Koshien, Nishinomiya, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan, and are owned by Hanshin Electric Railway Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Hankyu Hanshin Holdings Inc.The Hanshin Tigers are one of the oldest professional clubs in Japan.  They played their first season in 1936 as the Osaka Tigers and assumed their current team name in 1961.

Hideaki Wakui <=SEP=> Hideaki Wakui (涌井 秀章, Wakui Hideaki, born June 21, 1986 in Matsudo, Chiba, Japan) is a starting pitcher for the Chiba Lotte Marines.Wakui pitched for the Japanese national team in the 2008 Beijing Olympics and 2009 World Baseball Classic.

Hideki Matsui <=SEP=> Hideki Matsui (松井 秀喜, Matsui Hideki, born June 12, 1974) is a Japanese former professional baseball outfielder and designated hitter who played baseball in Japan and the United States. He batted left-handed and threw right-handed.After playing the first ten seasons of his career for the Yomiuri Giants of Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball, he played the next seven seasons, from 2003–2009, for the New York Yankees of North America's Major League Baseball.

Hideo Nomo <=SEP=> Hideo Nomo (野茂 英雄|Nomo Hideo?, born August 31, 1968 in Minato-ku, Osaka, Japan) is a retired Japanese-American baseball pitcher in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) and Major League Baseball (MLB). He achieved early success in his native country, where he played with the Kintetsu Buffaloes from 1990 to 1994.

Hiroki Kuroda <=SEP=> Hiroki Kuroda (黒田 博樹, Kuroda Hiroki, born February 10, 1975) is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He pitched in NPB for Hiroshima from 1997 through 2007 before playing in Major League Baseball for the Los Angeles Dodgers from 2008 through 2011 and for the New York Yankees from 2012 to 2014.

Hiromichi Ishige <=SEP=> Hiromichi Ishige (石毛 宏典, born September 22, 1956 in Asahi, Chiba) is a retired Japanese professional baseball player and manager in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball. He played most of his career for the Seibu Lions.The 1986 Pacific League Most Valuable Player, Ishige was a seven-time Best Nine Award-winner, and a ten-time Gold Glove winner.

Hiroshima Toyo Carp <=SEP=> The Hiroshima Toyo Carp (広島東洋カープ, Hiroshima Tōyō Kāpu) is a professional baseball team in Japan's Central League. The team is primarily owned by the Matsuda family, led by Hajime Matsuda (松田元, Matsuda Hajime), who is a descendant of Mazda founder Jujiro Matsuda. Mazda is the largest single shareholder (34.2%), which is less than the portion owned by the Matsuda family (about 60%). Because of that, Mazda is not considered as the owner firm.

Hiroyuki Nakajima <=SEP=> Hiroyuki Nakajima (中島 裕之, Nakajima Hiroyuki, born July 31, 1982) is a Japanese professional baseball shortstop.Nakajima played in the 2008 Beijing Olympics as well as the 2009 World Baseball Classic for the Japanese national team and is regarded as one of the most talented young stars in Japanese professional baseball today. After the 2011 season, his Japanese team, the Seibu Lions, posted Nakajima to Major League Baseball, but Nakajima failed to reach an agreement with the New York Yankees.

Hisashi Iwakuma <=SEP=> Hisashi Iwakuma (岩隈 久志, Iwakuma Hisashi, born April 12, 1981) is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher with the Seattle Mariners of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played for the Osaka Kintetsu Buffaloes and Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB)Iwakuma made his professional debut with the Buffaloes in 2000. He was named a NPB All-Star in 2003 and 2004, and played in the 2004 Athens Olympics. He joined the Eagles in 2005.

Hisashi Yamada <=SEP=> Hisashi Yamada (山田 久志, Yamada Hisashi, born July 29, 1948 in Noshiro, Akita Prefecture, Japan) is a retired Japanese professional baseball submarine pitcher. He played with the Hankyu Braves in Nippon Professional Baseball from 1969 to 1988.Yamada won the Pacific League MVP for three years in a row (1976 to 1978), sharing a record with Ichiro Suzuki (1994–1996) for the most consecutive awards won. In addition, Yamade won the Japan Series MVP in 1977.

Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters <=SEP=> The Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters (北海道日本ハムファイターズ, Hokkaidō Nippon-Hamu Faitāzu) are a Japanese professional baseball team based in Sapporo, Hokkaidō. They compete in the Pacific League of Nippon Professional Baseball, playing the majority of their home games at the Sapporo Dome. The Fighters also host a select number of regional home games in cities across Hokkaidō, including Hakodate, Asahikawa, Kushiro, and Obihiro.

Japan Women's Baseball League <=SEP=> Japan Women's Baseball League or JWBL (formerly, Girls Professional Baseball League or GPBL until 2012) is the highest level of women's baseball in Japan.

Japan national baseball team <=SEP=> The Japan national baseball team is the national baseball team representing Japan in international competitions. They are one of the more successful baseball teams in the world, having won the World Baseball Classic in 2006 and 2009 until 2013, where they lost 3-1 against Puerto Rico in the first semifinal round. The team is currently ranked 1st in the world according to the International Baseball Federation.

Kazuhisa Inao <=SEP=> Kazuhisa Inao (稲尾 和久, Inao Kazuhisa, June 10, 1937 – November 13, 2007) was a Japanese professional baseball pitcher. In 1957, he won 20 consecutive games. In 1958 Japan Series, he pitched six games and won 4 consecutive games after his team lost 3 games. He even hit a home run in fifth game of Japan Series. He was the Pacific League's Most Valuable Player in 1957 and 1958. He had 42 wins in 1961.

Keishi Suzuki <=SEP=> Keishi Suzuki (鈴木 啓示, Suzuki Keishi, born September 28, 1947) is a Japanese former professional baseball pitcher in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He played for the Kintetsu Buffaloes from 1966 to 1985. A member of both Meikyukai and the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame, his 317 career victories ranks him fourth on the all-time NPB list.

Kenji Johjima <=SEP=> Kenji Johjima (城島 健司, Jōjima Kenji, born June 8, 1976 in Sasebo, Japan) /ˈdʒoʊdʒiːmə/ is a Japanese former professional baseball player. He played as a catcher in Major League Baseball for four years with the Seattle Mariners in the American League, then returned to Japan and played for the Hanshin Tigers.On November 21, 2005, Johjima and the Mariners agreed to a $16.5 million, three-year contract.

Kento Sugiyama <=SEP=> Kento Sugiyama (杉山 賢人, Sugiyama Kento, born December 12, 1968) is a retired Japanese professional baseball player from Numazu, Shizuoka, Japan. He played for the Seibu Lions, Hanshin Tigers, Osaka Kintetsu Buffaloes, and Yokohama BayStars during his 10-year career in the Japanese professional leagues.Sugiyama was drafted in the first round of the 1992 amateur draft by the Seibu Lions, and won the Japanese rookie of the year award in 1993, making 54 appearances with a 2.80 ERA.

Koji Yamamoto (baseball) <=SEP=> Kōji Yamamoto (山本 浩二, Yamamoto Kōji, born October 25, 1946 in Saeki, Hiroshima) is a former Japanese baseball player and manager of the Hiroshima Carp of Japan's Central League. A four-time home run king having played for Hiroshima Carp throughout his career, Yamamoto contributed to the team winning five league championships including its first-ever in 1975, and three titles of Japan Series in 1979, 1980 and 1984. He recorded over 40 home runs for five years in a row from 1977.

Korakuen Stadium <=SEP=> Korakuen Stadium (後楽園球場, Kōrakuen Kyūjō) was a stadium in Tokyo, Japan. Completed in 1937, it was primarily used for baseball and was home to the Yomiuri Giants until 1988 when they moved next door, to the Tokyo Dome, which sits on the site of the Velodrome.  The ballpark had a capacity of 50,000 people.  In 1942 Korakuen Stadium played host to a memorable 28 inning, 311 pitch, complete game effort by Michio Nishizawa. It also hosted the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame.

Kosuke Fukudome <=SEP=> Kosuke Fukudome (福留 孝介, Fukudome Kōsuke, born April 26, 1977) (pronounced KOH-skay Foo-koo-DOUGH-may) is a Japanese professional baseball outfielder for the Hanshin Tigers.Prior to arriving in the United States, Fukudome played nine seasons for the Chunichi Dragons of the Japanese Central League.

Kyuji Fujikawa <=SEP=> Kyuji Fujikawa (藤川 球児, Fujikawa Kyūji, born July 21, 1980) is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. He previously pitched for the Hanshin Tigers of Nippon Professional Baseball and the Chicago Cubs and Texas Rangers of Major League Baseball (MLB).Fujikawa pitched in the 2006 and 2009 World Baseball Classics as well as the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

List of Yomiuri Giants managers <=SEP=> The Yomiuri Giants are a professional baseball team based in Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan. The Giants are members of the Central League (CL) in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). In baseball, the head coach of a team is called the manager, or more formally, the field manager. The duties of the team manager include team strategy and leadership on and off the field. The team has employed 11 different managers since the formation of a professional baseball league in Japan.

Masaaki Mori (baseball) <=SEP=> Masaaki Mori (森 祇晶, Mori Masaaki, born January 9, 1937 in Gifu, Gifu, Japan) is a retired professional Japanese baseball player and manager.Mori played Nippon Professional Baseball from 1955–1974 as the catcher of the Yomiuri Giants. He was an eight-time Best Nine Award-winner (1961-1968) and the Japan Series MVP in 1967.

Masahiro Tanaka <=SEP=> Masahiro Tanaka (田中 将大, Tanaka Masahiro, born November 1, 1988) is a Japanese professional baseball starting pitcher for the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball (MLB).

Masaichi Kaneda <=SEP=> Masaichi Kaneda (金田 正一, Kaneda Masaichi, born August 1, 1933 in Heiwa, Aichi Prefecture, Japan) is a Zainichi Korean-Japanese former professional baseball pitcher. He is one of the best-known pitchers in Japanese baseball history, and is the only Japanese pitcher to have won 400 games.

Miyazaki Phoenix League <=SEP=> The Miyazaki Phoenix League is a fall baseball league organized by Nippon Professional Baseball consisting of minor league affiliates of NPB teams, minor league affiliates of Korea Professional Baseball teams, and a team representing the Shikoku Island League Plus.

Motonobu Tanishige <=SEP=> Motonobu Tanishige (谷繁 元信, born December 21, 1970, in Hiroshima) is a Japanese professional baseball player for the Chunichi Dragons in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He has games-played NPB record.

Motoshi Fujita <=SEP=> Motoshi Fujita (藤田 元司, Fujita Motoshi,  (August 7, 1931 – February 9, 2006), born in Niihama, Ehime) was a Japanese professional baseball player and manager.

Munenori Kawasaki <=SEP=> Munenori Kawasaki (川﨑 宗則, Kawasaki Munenori, born June 3, 1981) is a Japanese professional baseball shortstop and second baseman for the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball (MLB). Previously, he played for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks of Nippon Professional Baseball, and the Seattle Mariners of Major League Baseball. He played for the Japanese national team in the 2008 Beijing Olympics as well as the 2006 and 2009 World Baseball Classics.

Nashua Pride <=SEP=> The Nashua Pride were a professional baseball team based in Nashua, New Hampshire, in the United States, not affiliated with Major League Baseball.  They played home games at Holman Stadium from 1998 through 2008, when they were sold and renamed the American Defenders of New Hampshire. In 2010 that team moved to Pittsfield, Massachusetts, and became the Pittsfield Colonials. The franchise itself no longer exists, as the Colonials folded after the 2011 baseball season.

New Jersey Jackals <=SEP=> The New Jersey Jackals are a professional minor league baseball team based in Little Falls in Passaic County, New Jersey, United States. The Jackals are a member of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball through its association with the Canadian-American Association of Professional Baseball, neither of which are affiliated with Major League Baseball.

Nippon Professional Baseball <=SEP=> Nippon Professional Baseball (日本野球機構, Nippon Yakyū Kikō) or NPB is the highest level of baseball in Japan. Locally, it is often called Puro Yakyū (プロ野球), meaning Professional Baseball. Outside of Japan, it is often just referred to as "Japanese baseball". The roots of the league can be traced back to the formation of the "Greater Japan Tokyo Baseball Club" (大日本東京野球倶楽部, Dai-Nippon Tōkyō Yakyū Kurabu) in 1934 and the original Japanese Baseball League.

Nishi Nippon Pirates <=SEP=> The Nishi-Nippon Pirates (西日本パイレーツ, Nishi-Nippon Pairētsu) were a Japanese baseball team and a founding member of the Central League in 1950. The team was owned by the Nishi-Nippon Shimbun and played their home games in Heiwadai Stadium in Fukuoka.The team existed for one season — they placed sixth in 1950, and the following season merged with the also Fukuoka-based Nishitetsu Clippers to form the Nishitetsu Lions.

Nishitetsu Baseball Club <=SEP=> The Nishitetsu Baseball Club was a team in the Japanese Baseball League (JBL). Founded in 1936 as the Tokyo Senators, the team went through a number of name changes and mergers before being dissolved before the 1944 season.

Nobuhiko Matsunaka <=SEP=> Nobuhiko Matsunaka (松中 信彦, Matsunaka Nobuhiko, born December 26, 1973 in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto, Japan) is a left fielder and designated hitter for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks.Matsunaka is the only active hitter in Japanese professional baseball to have ever led the league in all three Triple Crown categories in the same season. He played in the 1996 Atlanta and 2000 Sydney Olympics as well as the 2006 World Baseball Classic, hitting cleanup in 1996 and 2006.

Nori Aoki <=SEP=> Norichika "Nori" Aoki (青木 宣親, Aoki Norichika, born January 5, 1982) is a Japanese professional baseball right fielder for the San Francisco Giants of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has also played in MLB for the Milwaukee Brewers and Kansas City Royals and for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).Aoki is one of only four players to amass 200 or more hits in a single season in Japanese professional baseball.

Orix Buffaloes <=SEP=> The ORIX Buffaloes (オリックス・バファローズ, Orikkusu Bafarōzu) are a Nippon Professional Baseball team that was formed following the 2004 NPB season by the merger of the Orix BlueWave of Kobe, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan and the Kintetsu Buffaloes of Osaka, Osaka Prefecture, Japan.

Osaka Kintetsu Buffaloes <=SEP=> The Osaka Kintetsu Buffaloes (大阪近鉄バファローズ, Ōsaka Kintetsu Bafarōzu) was a Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) team based in Osaka, Japan, which was in the Pacific League. In 2005 the team was merged with the Orix BlueWave to become the team now known as the Orix Buffaloes. The team played  in Fujiidera Stadium, and later in Osaka Dome.Although the team won four Pacific League championships, they lost all four Japan Series in which they played.

Professional baseball in Japan <=SEP=> Professional baseball in Japan first started in the 1920s, but it was not until the Greater Japan Tokyo Baseball Club (大日本東京野球倶楽部, Dai-nippon Tōkyō Yakyū Kurabu) was established in 1934 that the modern professional game had continued success.

Professional baseball in Taiwan <=SEP=> Professional baseball in Taiwan started with the founding of the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) in 1989. At its 1997 peak, Taiwan had two leagues and 11 professional teams. The competing Taiwan Major League ran from 1997 until its absorption by the CPBL in 2003.The professional game has had several game-fixing scandals which have led to sharp declines in game attendance.

Rockland Boulders <=SEP=> The Rockland Boulders are an American independent professional baseball team based in Pomona, New York in Rockland County.They are a member of the Canadian American Association of Professional Baseball, also known as the Can-Am League. The team was one of three teams joining the league for the 2011 season, joining former Atlantic League champions the Newark Bears and New York State League team the New York Federals.

Sadaharu Oh <=SEP=> Sadaharu Oh (Japanese: 王貞治, Ō Sadaharu; born May 20, 1940), also known as Wang Chen-chih (Chinese: 王貞治; pinyin: Wáng Zhēnzhì) , is a retired Japanese–Chinese baseball player and manager who played 22 seasons for the Yomiuri Giants in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) from 1959 to 1980. Oh holds the world lifetime home run record, having hit 868 home runs during his professional career.

Saitama Seibu Lions <=SEP=> The Saitama Seibu Lions (埼玉西武ライオンズ, Saitama Seibu Raionzu) are a professional baseball team in Japan's Pacific League based north of Tokyo in Tokorozawa, Saitama.  Before 1979, they were based in Fukuoka in Kyushu. The team is owned by a subsidiary of Prince Hotels, which in turn is owned by the Seibu Group.

Seiji Kobayashi <=SEP=> Seiji Kobayashi (小林 誠司, born June 7, 1989) is a Japanese professional baseball catcher for the Yomiuri Giants of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).Kobayashi attended Doshisha University, where he played for the school's baseball team. The Yomiuri Giants selected Kobayashi in the 2013 NPB Draft. Kobayashi was added to the Japanese baseball team's roster for the 2014 Major League Baseball Japan All-Star Series.

Shigeo Nagashima <=SEP=> Shigeo Nagashima (長嶋 茂雄, Nagashima Shigeo, born February 20, 1936 in Sakura, Chiba, Japan) is a Japanese former professional baseball player and manager.

Shingo Takatsu <=SEP=> Shingo Takatsu (高津 臣吾, Takatsu Shingo) (born November 25, 1968 in Hiroshima, Japan) is a former professional baseball pitcher. He had a short stint with the Chicago White Sox where he was the closer for two seasons until struggles closing games ultimately led to his demotion to the minors. Despite being demoted in the summer of 2005, he received a World Series ring with the White Sox. He was signed by the New York Mets during the 2005 season, and he pitched in nine games for New York.

Shinnosuke Abe <=SEP=> Shinnosuke Abe (阿部 慎之助, Abe Shinnosuke, born March 20, 1979 in Urayasu, Chiba) is a Japanese professional baseball player with the Yomiuri Giants in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball. He has played for the Japanese national team since 1999 as a catcher.

Shochiku Robins <=SEP=> The Shochiku Robins was a Japanese baseball team that played in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). The franchise originated in the Japanese Baseball League (NPB's predecessor) and existed from 1936–1953, when it merged with another team. Originally based in Tokyo, the club moved to Osaka in 1941.

Shuichi Murata <=SEP=> Shuichi Murata (村田 修一, Murata Shūichi, born December 28, 1980 in Sasaguri, Fukuoka, Japan) is a third baseman for the Yomiuri Giants.Murata led the Central League in home runs in both 2007 and 2008 and is one of the few pure home run hitters in Japanese professional baseball today. He played in the 2008 Beijing Olympics as well as the 2009 World Baseball Classic as a member of the Japanese national team and hit cleanup for much of the latter tournament.

Somerset Patriots <=SEP=> The Somerset Patriots is an American  professional baseball team based in Bridgewater Township, New Jersey.  They are a member of the Liberty Division of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball.

Sport in Japan <=SEP=> Sports in Japan are a significant part of Japanese culture. Both traditional sports such as sumo and martial arts, and Western imports like baseball and association football, are popular with both participants and spectators.Sumo wrestling is considered Japan's national sport. Baseball was introduced to the country by visiting Americans in the 19th century.  The Nippon Professional Baseball league is Japan's largest professional sports competition in terms of television ratings and spectators.

Sugar Land Skeeters <=SEP=> The Sugar Land Skeeters are an American professional baseball team based in Sugar Land, Texas.  They are a member of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, an independent league not affiliated with Major League Baseball. Beginning in the 2012 season, the team plays its home games at Constellation Field.  The Skeeters are the first Atlantic League team to play outside of the Northeast; the team is also the first of a planned Western division to include four to six other teams.

Tadashi Sugiura <=SEP=> Tadashi Sugiura (杉浦 忠, Sugiura  Tadashi, September 17, 1935 in Toyota, Aichi, Japan – November 11, 2001) was a Japanese Nippon Professional Baseball player with the Nankai Hawks. He debuted in the 1958 and went on to join the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame for his skills as a pitcher.

Takahashi Unions <=SEP=> The Takahashi Unions (高橋ユニオンズ, Takahashi Yunionzu) were a Japanese team in Nippon Professional Baseball. A Pacific League expansion team in 1954, they were brought into the league to increase the number of teams to eight. The team was stocked with players from the other Pacific League teams, including aging pitcher Victor Starffin. In their three years of existence the team finished in the second division every season.The Unions played their games at Kawasaki Stadium in Kawasaki, Kanagawa.

Takashi Ishii (baseball) <=SEP=> Takashi Ishii (石井 貴, Ishii Takashi, born 25 August 1971) is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher and coach. He pitched for 14 seasons for the Seibu Lions and made three All-Star teams. His brother Akio Ishii was drafted in 1986 but never made it into Nippon Pro Baseball.

Takashi Miwa <=SEP=> Takashi Miwa (三輪 隆, born December 1, 1969) is a former professional baseball player from Chiba, Japan.  He was drafted by the Orix BlueWave in the second round of the 1993 amateur draft, and played with the team until 2004.

Takehiko Bessho <=SEP=> Takehiko Bessho (別所 毅彦 Bessho Takehiko, October 1, 1922 -June 24, 1999 ), born Akira Bessho (別所昭, Bessho Akira), was a Japanese baseball player whose professional career as a player lasted from 1942 until 1960.

Tatsunori Hara <=SEP=> Tatsunori Hara (原 辰徳, Hara Tatsunori, born July 22, 1958 in Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan) is the current manager for the Yomiuri Giants baseball team in Nippon Professional Baseball. He also played for the Yomiuri Giants during his professional baseball career from 1981 to 1995. Hara led the Japan national baseball team to victory in the final of the 2009 World Baseball Classic.His nephew is a professional pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano for the Giants.

Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles <=SEP=> The Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles (東北楽天ゴールデンイーグルス, Tōhoku Rakuten Gōruden Īgurusu) is a baseball team based in Sendai, in Miyagi Prefecture, which plays in the Japanese Nippon Professional Baseball Pacific League since 2005.

Tokyo Yakult Swallows <=SEP=> The Tokyo Yakult Swallows are a professional baseball team in Japan's Central League.The Swallows are named after their corporate owners, the Yakult Corporation. From 1950 to 1965, the team was owned by the former Japanese National Railways (known as Kokutetsu (国鉄) in Japanese) and called the Kokutetsu Swallows; the team was then owned by the newspaper Sankei Shimbun from 1965 to 1968 and called the Sankei Atoms. Yakult purchased the team in 1970 and restored its original Swallows name in 1974.

Toshiya Sugiuchi <=SEP=> Toshiya Sugiuchi (杉内 俊哉, Sugiuchi Toshiya, born October 30, 1980 in Kasuga, Fukuoka, Japan) is a Japanese baseball player. He is a left-handed starting pitcher for the Yomiuri Giants.Sugiuchi was the Eiji Sawamura Award winner in 2005. He has had some of the most international experience of any active Japanese baseball player, pitching in the 2000 Sydney and 2008 Beijing Olympics as well as the 2006 and 2009 World Baseball Classics.

Tsuneo Horiuchi <=SEP=> Tsuneo Horiuchi (堀内 恒夫, Horiuchi Tsuneo, born January 16, 1948, in Kōfu, Yamanashi) is a former professional baseball player in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball, and a politician. A right-handed pitcher, in 2008 he was voted into the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame.

Tsutomu Wakamatsu <=SEP=> Tsutomu Wakamatsu (若松 勉, Wakamatsu Tsutomu, born April 17, 1947 in Hokkaidō) was a Japanese baseball player, coach, and manager for the Yakult Swallows in Nippon Professional Baseball. He batted left-handed, and threw right-handed. His number 1 is honoured by the Swallows.

Tsuyoshi Nishioka <=SEP=> Tsuyoshi Nishioka (西岡 剛, Nishioka Tsuyoshi, born July 27, 1984) is a professional baseball infielder who plays for the Hanshin Tigers in Nippon Professional Baseball's Central League. He played for the Minnesota Twins of Major League Baseball from 2011–2012.Nishioka played in the 2006 World Baseball Classic as well as the 2008 Beijing Olympics as a member of the Japanese national team.

Tsuyoshi Wada <=SEP=> Tsuyoshi Wada (和田 毅, Wada Tsuyoshi, born February 21, 1981) is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher for the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball (MLB).Wada pitched in the 2004 Athens and 2008 Beijing Olympics as well as the 2006 World Baseball Classic for the Japanese national team. He set a Tokyo Big6 Baseball League record with 476 strikeouts during his college career at Waseda University and was the Pacific League Most Valuable Rookie in 2003.

Tsuyoshi Yoda <=SEP=> Tsuyoshi Yoda (与田 剛, born December 4, 1965) is a Japanese professional baseball player and coach.Yoda played for the Chunichi Dragons of Nippon Professional Baseball, debuting in 1990. After the 1990 season, Yoda played on a team of Japanese all-stars, opposing American all-stars. In 1996, he signed with the San Diego Padres of Major League Baseball, and played in minor league baseball for the Memphis Chicks of the Class AA Southern League. However, elbow injuries limited him.

Wally Yonamine <=SEP=> Wallace Kaname "Wally" Yonamine (与那嶺要, Yonamine Kaname, June 24, 1925 – February 28, 2011), also known as Wally Yonamine, was a multi-sport American athlete who played in the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) and Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball.Yonamine, a Nisei Japanese American, was born in Hawaii to parents Matsusai (September 1, 1890 – July 31, 1988) and Kikue (February 14, 1901 – February 26, 1999).

Western League (Japanese baseball) <=SEP=> The Western League (ウエスタン・リーグ) is one of the two minor leagues  "\ni-gun") of Japanese professional baseball. The league is owned and managed by the Pacific League of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).

Worcester Tornadoes <=SEP=> The Worcester Tornadoes were a professional baseball team based in Worcester, Massachusetts, in the United States. The Tornadoes were a member of the Canadian-American Association of Professional Baseball, an independent baseball league which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball. The Tornadoes played their home games at Hanover Insurance Park at Fitton Field, on the College of the Holy Cross campus.The Tornadoes were formerly owned by Perfect Game LLC.

Yokohama DeNA BayStars <=SEP=> The Yokohama DeNA BayStars (横浜DeNAベイスターズ, Yokohama Dī-Enu-Ē Beisutāzu) are a professional baseball team in the Japanese Central League.  Their home field is Yokohama Stadium, located in central Yokohama. The clubhouse is located near the stadium.The team mascot is DB. Starman, a male-hamster with a star-shaped face. He was kept by the Hosshey family: Hosshey, Hossiena and Hossiezo.

Yomiuri Giants <=SEP=> The Yomiuri Giants (読売ジャイアンツ, Yomiuri Jaiantsu) are a professional baseball team based in Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan.  The team competes in the Central League in Nippon Professional Baseball. They play their home games in the Tokyo Dome, opened in 1988. The team's owner is the Yomiuri Group, a media conglomerate which includes two newspapers and a television network.The Giants are the oldest team among the current Japanese professional teams.

York Revolution <=SEP=> The York Revolution is an American professional baseball team based in York, Pennsylvania. It is a member of the Freedom Division of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, an independent league not affiliated with Major League Baseball. From the 2007 season to the present, the Revolution has played its home games at Santander Stadium, located in the Arch Street neighborhood.

Yu Darvish <=SEP=> Yu Darvish (Japanese: ダルビッシュ 有, Hepburn: Darubisshu Yū, born August 16, 1986) is a Japanese starting pitcher for the Texas Rangers of Major League Baseball (MLB).  Darvish pitched in the 2008 Beijing Olympics as well as the 2009 World Baseball Classic as a member of the Japanese national team.He was considered by many to be the best pitcher in Japanese professional baseball prior to his arrival in Major League Baseball in 2012.