Offseason News

Spring Training 2018 – Le Sixieme Cours

Spring Training 2018 – Le Sixieme Cours

Camp is over! The team packed up late this morning and are on their way back to mainland. Exhibition season up here starts on March 3 (in Fukuoka, where they’re selling “open seating” all-you-can-eat tickets for ¥2500) and runs through the 25th. Looking forward to see how the field and mound start to take shape!…

Spring Training 2018 – Le Cinquieme Cours

Spring Training 2018 – Le Cinquieme Cours

We’re most of the way through this long meal called Spring Training. The fifth course is now in the books, and on this, Wilin Rosario‘s 29th birthday, we bring you the news of the past 3 days. First, Rosario took some time during batting practice to teach struggling outfielder Taiga Egoshi about hitting. We can…

Ohyama, Ishizaki Named to Samurai Japan Team

Ohyama, Ishizaki Named to Samurai Japan Team

Reference articles found here and here For the first time in half a decade, the Hanshin Tigers have field representation on the all-Japan baseball team. It was announced on Tuesday (2/20) that Yusuke Ohyama (23) would be a member of the team that would play Team Australia in a couple of friendly matches on March…

Spring Training 2018 – Le Quatrieme Cours

Spring Training 2018 – Le Quatrieme Cours

It’s another precious day off for our heroes on the diamond, so let’s look back on the last few days of spring training action! First, the “news”: Newly acquired relief pitcher Diego Moreno looked good pitching in the bullpen and in live batting practice. Some have called him a “skinny Mateo” – he uses the…

Spring Training 2018 – Le Troisieme Cours

Spring Training 2018 – Le Troisieme Cours

Before we get to the highlights (yes, there were a couple of games!), here are the latest bits of news: – Manager Tomoaki Kanemoto has declared that Yusuke Ohyama will get a chance at third, which means moving ironman Takashi Toritani over to second base. I guess Hiroki Uemoto is out of a job! –…

Spring Training 2018 – Le Deuxieme Cours

Spring Training 2018 – Le Deuxieme Cours

It’s still just the beginning of spring training. And it’s still cold in mainland Japan. So because of the frozen nature of my fingers, and the lack of heaviness concerning any and all headlines, here’s what you missed, in short spurts: Minoru Iwata threw a 200-pitch bullpen… in case Kanemoto gets really, REALLY mad at…

2018 Spring Training Information

2018 Spring Training Information

If you’ve been following us on Facebook, you know we’re excited about the upcoming season. We’ve been counting down the days until next season using the players’ jerseys. Check it out if you get a chance. (And “like” the page, too, please!) Anyhow, here is the basic schedule and squad divisions for this year’s spring…

2017 Offseason Roster Shuffle

2017 Offseason Roster Shuffle

At season’s end, the Hanshin Tigers roster (top and farm combined) consisted of 69 players. The maximum allowed under NPB rules is 70. With that having been said, how has the team shaken out since the last game of the year on October 17? Retired: RP #16 Yuya Andoh (39); IF #32 Ryota Arai (34);…