The Japan Student Baseball Association announced penalties for 15 high schools at a review committee meeting held on the 19th. In Hokkaido, Tokai University Sapporo High School’s baseball team, which participated in this spring’s selection tournament, was banned from external games for one month from October 22 to November 21 due to team members drinking alcohol and smoking.
According to the association, on October 21, an anonymous letter arrived for the team’s manager stating, “There are team members who are smoking.” After subsequently calling on all team members, several students came forward, and 11 were found to have engaged in smoking or drinking.
The school reported the incident to the Japan Student Baseball Association on the 22nd via the Hokkaido High School Baseball Federation. The involved students were instructed to reflect on their actions at home. The school stated, “We are deeply sorry. We will ensure such incidents do not happen again.”
Japan Student Baseball Association
The Japan Student Baseball Association (JSBA) is the governing body for high school baseball in Japan, founded in 1915. It is best known for organizing the iconic National High School Baseball Championship, held each summer at Koshien Stadium, which is a major national sporting event deeply embedded in Japanese culture. The association’s history is intertwined with the development of baseball as a central school sport, promoting discipline, teamwork, and intense competition among student-athletes.
Tokai University Sapporo High School
Tokai University Sapporo High School is a private high school located in Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan. It was founded in 1978 as part of the Tokai University Educational System, which was established by Dr. Shigeyoshi Matsumae to promote a forward-looking education integrating humanities and sciences. The school is known for its rigorous academic curriculum and emphasis on fostering global perspectives.
Hokkaido
Hokkaido is Japan’s northernmost and second-largest island, historically inhabited by the indigenous Ainu people before significant Japanese settlement began in the late 19th century during the Meiji era. Today, it is renowned for its vast natural landscapes, including national parks, volcanic hot springs (onsen), and world-class ski resorts, alongside major cities like Sapporo. Its distinct culture blends Ainu heritage with unique regional foods, festivals like the Sapporo Snow Festival, and a cooler climate that shapes its agricultural and outdoor lifestyle.
Hokkaido High School Baseball Federation
The Hokkaido High School Baseball Federation is the governing body for high school baseball in Japan’s northernmost prefecture, organizing tournaments and selecting teams for the prestigious National High School Baseball Championship (Koshien). Its history is intertwined with the national tournament, first held in 1915, as it has long served as the qualifying authority for Hokkaido’s representative schools, fostering regional pride and producing many famous players.
