“Taniguchi-kun BALL PARK” The Fighters Junior is now fully underway, and we’ll give our full support to become the best in Japan.
Sports Hochi
2025.9.14(日) 06:10
On the 7th, The Fighters Junior team kicked off in earnest in preparation for the “NPB Junior Tournament 2025,” which will be held at Jingu Stadium and Yokohama Stadium from December 26th. Sixteen elite players were selected from approximately 350 applicants from fifth and sixth graders in Hokkaido. As with last year, I will be on the bench as a coach. As Top Team Manager Shinjo has said, I hope the players will enjoy playing baseball and grow as people in the four months leading up to the tournament.
As a member of The Fighters uniform, I want the players to maintain a strong desire to win. Last year, they lost 1-5 to The Hawks Junior in the final, resulting in a disappointing runner-up finish. When this year’s team was formed, the players voiced their strong desire to achieve even better results than last year. I want them to feel the weight and pride of The Fighters uniform and fight passionately to win their first championship since 2011.
However, I would like the players to see being selected here as just a milestone. It’s a special thing to wear The Fighters uniform as a child, and I hope they will use this experience to their advantage in the future. Nothing would make me happier than if the players grow, put on a professional uniform, and return to ESCON again. I hope that this period will strengthen their desire to join the top team.
Coincidentally, the top team, led by Manager Shinjo, is also in the midst of a long voyage, fighting for the championship against Softbank. As crew members wearing the same uniform, the junior members cannot afford to lose. We will do our best to support the players as they seek revenge for last year! (Yuya Taniguchi)
Related News
・ [Nippon-Ham] “Taniguchi-kyun from BALLPARK” … “Meat Festival” at F Village, featuring Zangi, beef tongue, soki soba… Famous restaurants from all over the country
・ Taniguchi-kun from BALLPARK “Starting in Hokkaido” Switched on for the opening ceremony of Ace Combat
・ [Nippon-Ham] “Taniguchi-kun from BALLPARK”… Sushi chef “Kiyomiya Hakotaro” at F Village “SUNNY TERRACE”
・ [Nippon-Ham] “Taniguchi-kun from BALL PARK” His body is in excellent shape! We can only hope for a different Nomura than last year.
・ [Nippon-Ham] “Taniguchi-kun from BALL PARK”… The party man, Mizutani, is back… We hope to continue to make the game more fun and enjoyable to watch.