NPB 2023: (Es Con) Field of Dreams

[Nerroth]

As demonstrated in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, the standard of play in Nippon Professional Baseball is worthy of note: the victorious Samurai Japan had a healthy mix of NPB and MLB talent on the roster.

But beyond this, the 2023 NPB season is the first in which Es Con Field, the new home stadium for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters, is open for business:

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Actually getting to the new ballpark is another matter, but plans are afoot to construct a dedicated JR station adjacent to the facility by 2027 - concerns over locations and cost overruns notwithstanding:

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This is also the 20th year in which the Fighters are playing in the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido; prior to this season, their home games held since relocating from Tokyo to Hokkaido had been at the Sapporo Dome.

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Of course, there is plenty going on elsewhere in the league - to include controversial plans to tear down the historical Meiji Jingu stadium (and the adjacent rugby stadium) and to build a replacement ballpark and rugby stadium in their stead.

The Pacific League has an English-language YouTube channel which live streams a PL game with English commentary each month; the first of these games saw the Fighters host the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles for the second time this season.

So, is there an NPB team you have an interest in? Or, for that matter, an NPB stadium you might like to see host future WBC matches, and/or a visit from your preferred MLB team?

 

[Nerroth]

The Pacific League's English-language YouTube channel is in the midst of posting a series of interviews with overseas fans of each of the six PL sides:

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Also, the new F Village in Kitahiroshima includes more than just Es Con Field itself; here is a look at The Lodge:

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[Nerroth]

I was able to get these from Blue Tree Books at J-Town, on the Markham side of Steeles Avenue:.

Now, if only the team itself was faring better this season...

 

[Nerroth]

Two more Making the Pitch 2023 episodes are now up:

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One of the reasons why much of the stuff posted in this thread is about the Pacific League is in part due to that league consolidating its broadcast and streaming rights under a single banner; the Central League teams each keep their respective rights to themselves.

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Also, this channel has many clips which help explain the history of Japanese baseball:

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[Nerroth]

While I suspect the date chosen is entirely coincidental, Canada Day will mark the first time that a Fighters home game is to be played at Es Con Field with the roof open. Weather permitting, of course.

Before then, the 2023 Interleague games are to be held across Japan, in which Pacific League and Central League teams shall face off:

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As used to be the case in MLB, games played at PL stadiums make use of the Designated Hitter rule, whereas those hosted by CL clubs do not.

This is one of the topics covered in the most recent episode of the PL YouTube channel's weekly podcast:

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[Nerroth]

This week, the 2023 NPB All-Star Games are set to take place in Nagoya and in Hiroshima. Despite both games being hosted in Central League ballparks, the designated hitter rule shall be in effect for each game. As shown here, the Central League All-Star selection is dominated by one team in particular...

Also, it's being reported here that NPB is considering adopting the 2023 rule changes made in MLB - pitch clocks, larger bases, etc - though there is still no word on whether or not the Central League might one day adopt the DH rule.

Also also, the first game held at Es Con Field Hokkaido with the roof open was meant to be on Canada Day, but the local weather conditions obliged them to play that game with the roof closed.

So, the first roof open day was on the 2nd instead:

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[Nerroth]

And so, the 2023 NPB season ends with the Hanshin Tigers banishing the "Curse of the Colonel" by defeating the Orix Buffaloes in game 7 of this year's Japan Series:

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Although, despite efforts to prevent this, it appears that a few Tigers fans managed to toss a guy dressed as the Colonel into the Dotonbori river.

Time will tell if this means that a second Curse has already begun...