Baseball - Yokohama Sports Teams Special

Played in the United States, Japan, and all around the world, two teams of nine players each take turns playing offense and defense to score points.

The connection between Yokohama and baseball dates back to 1896, when international baseball games were played between the former Daiichi High School and an American team from Yokohama at the site of the current Yokohama Stadium. The first game was 29-4, and the second game was 32-9, both big wins for the former Daiichi High School.

Furthermore, in 1934, Major League Baseball legend Babe Ruth played in Yokohama Stadium when he visited Japan as a member of the U.S. Major League Baseball All-Star team. He played a game against the All-Japan team.

There are many strong high school baseball teams in Yokohama like Yokohama High School. They won both spring and summer National High School Baseball Championship in 1998 with Daisuke Matsuzaka, called the "Monster of the Heisei Era".

Tips for a better sports experience!
Spectator's Guide

POINT1

When watching a baseball game, get to the stadium a little early! You can see the players getting ready for the game. You can also enjoy the spectacular announcements of the starting lineups and the first pitch ceremonies, which often feature celebrities.

POINT2

In the Showa era (1926-1989), watching a professional baseball game was like watching a bunch of old men yell at each other with beer in their hands. However, that has changed completely. Today's stadiums have become ball parks where everyone, regardless of age or gender, can enjoy stadium food and the atmosphere.

POINT3

Baseball is all about home runs! The power of a batter hitting a hardball like a ping pong ball is breathtaking. Even if you don't know the rules in detail, the powerful home runs will surely tip your hat.

POINT4

The highlight of baseball is how a single play can change the course of a whole game, whether it is a home run, a fine defensive play by a top player, or a stolen base...you can't take your eyes off the action for any moment!

*Information of teams, players, uniforms and uniform numbers are as of March 2023.

Yokohama DeNA BayStars

The Yokohama DeNA BayStars is a professional baseball team in the Central League of Nippon Professional Baseball, founded in 1950 as the Taiyo Whales. The team has been based at Yokohama Stadium, commonly known as "Hamasuta," since 1978, and took its current name in 2012.

The team has won both the Japan championship and the league championship twice. In the 1980s, the super trio of Yutaka Takagi, Hirokazu Kato, and Kaname Yashiki, who used their agile legs to run all over the bases, were the talk of the town. Then, in the 1990s, the machine-gun batting lineup won the championship in Japan with its overwhelming hitting power, and "Demon Lord" Kazuhiro Sasaki, who was active in the Major League with his fork ball, is now a legend of Yokohama.

The mascot is "DB.Starman" who joined the BayStars in 2012. It was entrusted with the mission of "connecting fans and the team", and the wish of "inheritance" to "connect the past spirit of Yokohama to future generations".

The official performance team of the Yokohama DeNA BayStars, “diana”, will also be on hand to liven up the stadium.
Team Information
Home Stadium Yokohama Stadium
Address Yokohama Park, Naka-ku, Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture
Phone number 045-661-1251
Official website (match information) https://www.baystars.co.jp/
Access to the Stadium
  • Exit at Yokohama Koen Exit on Kanagawa Highway No. 1 Yokohane Line
  • 5 minutes from the Bando-bashi Exit on the Highway Kanagawa No. 3 Kariba Line
  • 2-min. walk from Kannai Station (South Exit) on JR Negishi Line
  • 5-min. on foot from Ishikawamachi Station (North Exit) on the JR Negishi Line
  • 3-min. on foot from Kannai Station (Exit 1) on the Yokohama Municipal Subway
  • 3-min. walk from Nihon-odori Sta. 2 (Stadium Exit) on the Minatomirai Line
Click here for sightseeing spots around the stadium.