The Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters are a beloved professional baseball team based in Kitahiroshima, Hokkaido, in the Sapporo metropolitan area. Renowned for their exciting brand of baseball and the distinctive atmosphere of Es Con Field. The Fighters have become an iconic baseball destination, largely due to their history of nurturing some of baseball's biggest stars, notably pitching and hitting phenom Shohei Ohtani and ace pitcher Yu Darvish, both of whom captivated audiences before making their marks in Major League Baseball. This legacy of developing world-class talent, combined with the passionate local fanbase, has solidified the Fighters' status as a must-visit for any baseball enthusiast in Japan.
Es Con Field Hokkaido officially opened in March 2023, replacing Sapporo Dome as the home stadium of the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters.
Iconic Players of Fighters' History:
Shohei Ohtani (2013–2017)
Yu Darvish (2005–2011)
The Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles are a professional baseball team based in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, and play in Nippon Professional Baseball's Pacific League. Founded in November 2004 as an expansion team after the merger of two other Pacific League clubs, the Eagles quickly established themselves, notably winning their first Pacific League pennant and Japan Series championship in 2013, largely propelled by the undefeated season of then-ace pitcher Masahiro Tanaka. The team is named after the Japanese golden eagle, a predatory bird found in the Tohoku region, and is unique in NPB for including the name of an entire Japanese region rather than just a city or prefecture.
Masahiro Tanaka (2007–2013 & 2021-2024)
The Chiba Lotte Marines are a professional baseball team based in Chiba City, Japan, a founding member of Nippon Professional Baseball's Pacific League. They are well-known for their passionate fanbase and have won four Japan Series championships throughout their history. Before making the move to the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2025, pitching phenom Roki Sasaki, often called "the Monster of the Reiwa Era" for his scorching fastball and devastating splitter, played for the Chiba Lotte Marines from 2021 to 2024, where he notably pitched a perfect game in 2022.
Rōki Sasaki (2021–2024)
The Osaka Orix Buffaloes are a Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) team that was formed in 2004 through the merger of the Orix BlueWave and the Osaka Kintetsu Buffaloes. While they experienced a period of struggle after the merger, they have recently enjoyed significant success, winning three consecutive Pacific League pennants from 2021 to 2023 and the Japan Series Championship in 2022. A key figure in their recent dominance was star pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who, prior to joining the Los Angeles Dodgers in MLB, won three consecutive Pacific League MVP awards, three Eiji Sawamura Awards (NPB's equivalent of the Cy Young), and led the league in wins, strikeouts, and ERA for three straight seasons (2021-2023) while with the Buffaloes.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto (2017-2023)
Hideo Nomo - Kintentsu Buffaloes (1990-1994)
Ichiro - Orix BlueWave (1992-2000)
The Saitama Seibu Lions are a professional baseball team based in Tokorozawa, Saitama Prefecture, Japan. They are a prominent franchise in Nippon Professional Baseball's Pacific League, known for their strong history and numerous championships. The team has cultivated many talented players over the years, perhaps most notably Daisuke Matsuzaka, a dominant pitcher who rose to fame with the Lions before embarking on a successful career in Major League Baseball, showcasing the team's ability to develop world-class talent.
Daisuke Matsuzaka (1999-2006)
"Monster of the Heisei Era."
The Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks are a highly successful professional baseball team based in Fukuoka, Japan, and a prominent member of Nippon Professional Baseball's (NPB) Pacific League. Founded in 1938, the franchise has undergone several name and ownership changes, eventually becoming the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks in 2005 under the ownership of the SoftBank Group. Known for their strong financial backing and a commitment to player development, the Hawks have established themselves as one of NPB's modern dynasties, particularly in the 2010s, securing numerous Japan Series championships and consistently contending for league pennants. They play their home games at the Mizuho PayPay Dome Fukuoka and are known for their passionate fanbase in the Kyushu region.
Kodai Senga (2012–2022)
The Hanshin Tigers are one of Japan's oldest and most beloved professional baseball teams, founded in 1935 and known for their incredibly passionate fanbase. They play at Hanshin Koshien Stadium, a legendary ballpark that opened in 1924 and is revered as the "sacred ground of baseball" in Japan, not only as the Tigers' home field but also as the hallowed stage for the annual National High School Baseball Championship tournaments in spring and summer, where young players from across the country dream of competing. Its deep-rooted history, distinctive all-dirt infield, and the dramatic high school tournaments it hosts contribute to its unparalleled status as a symbol of baseball's enduring spirit in Japan.
The Yomiuri Giants are Japan's most successful and popular professional baseball team, often referred to as the "New York Yankees of Japan" due to their dominance and large fanbase. Since its opening in 1988, their home stadium has been the iconic Tokyo Dome, an indoor arena known as "The Big Egg." Beyond hosting countless Giants games, the Tokyo Dome is a prominent venue for major international baseball events, including pool play and quarterfinal rounds of the World Baseball Classic.
Hideki "Godzilla" Matsui (1993–2002)
Sadahara Oh (1959–1980 & manager 1984-1988)
The Tokyo Yakult Swallows are a professional baseball team based in Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan, competing in the Central League. Known for their passionate fanbase and a history of both dramatic victories and challenging seasons, they have cultivated a reputation as an exciting team to watch. In recent years, much of that excitement has revolved around their prodigious third baseman, Munetaka Murakami. A true rising star in Japanese baseball, Murakami has consistently showcased immense power and a mature hitting approach beyond his years, quickly establishing himself as one of the league's most feared sluggers and a central figure in the Swallows' offensive strategy.
Munetaka Murakami (2018–2025)
The Yokohama DeNA BayStars are a professional baseball team based in Yokohama, Japan, competing in Nippon Professional Baseball's (NPB) Central League. Established in 1949 as the Taiyo Whales, the franchise has undergone several name changes and relocations throughout its history, eventually settling in Yokohama Stadium in 1978 and adopting the "BayStars" moniker in 1993, before being acquired by mobile and online service provider DeNA in 2011. While the team experienced a period of struggle in the 2000s, they have seen a resurgence in recent years, including a Japan Series title in 2024, showcasing their commitment to building a competitive team and connecting with their passionate fanbase.
Kazuhiro Sasaki (1990-1999)
Shota Imanaga (2016-2023)
The Chunichi Dragons are a professional baseball team based in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, Japan, and are a prominent member of Nippon Professional Baseball's Central League. Founded in 1936 as the Nagoya Club, they have a rich history, evolving through various team names before settling on "Chunichi Dragons" in 1954. Playing their home games at Vantelin Dome Nagoya, the Dragons have clinched nine Central League pennants and secured two Japan Series championships, in 1954 and 2007, the latter famously breaking a 53-year drought. Over the decades, notable players like Shigeru Sugishita and Michio Nishizawa, affectionately known as "Mr. Dragons," have left indelible marks on the franchise, contributing to their enduring rivalry with the Yomiuri Giants.
Michio Nishizawa (1936-1958)
The Dragons' most famous player
The Hiroshima Toyo Carp are a professional baseball team based in Hiroshima, Japan, competing in Nippon Professional Baseball's Central League. Founded in 1949 as a symbol of post-war reconstruction after the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, the team's early years were marked by financial struggles, even requiring donations from citizens to stay afloat. Despite these humble beginnings, the Carp eventually rose to prominence, earning a reputation as a beloved "citizen's team" and achieving their first Central League pennant in 1975, followed by three Japan Series championships in 1979, 1980, and 1984. Known for their distinctive red helmets ("Akaheru") and passionate fan base, the Carp have continued to be a significant part of Hiroshima's identity, playing at Mazda Zoom-Zoom Stadium.
Seiya Suzuki (2012-2021)
Koji Yamamoto (1969-1986) Franchise Legend🌩️
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i = 0;
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print 'Iteration ' + i;
deck.shuffle();
i++;
}
print 'It took ' + i + ' iterations to sort the deck.';