#Japan #Sendai #Rakuten Eagles #KONAMI CUP #Junior Tournament

Rakuten Eagles Junior Team Selected for KONAMI CUP 2025

The Rakuten Eagles have made an exciting announcement regarding their participation in the upcoming "NPB Junior Tournament KONAMI CUP 2025". The team, which consists of 16 young athletes from the Rakuten Eagles Academy Baseball School, is set to compete in this prestigious annual event.

Overview of the NPB Junior Tournament KONAMI CUP 2025

The NPB Junior Tournament has become a platform for youth to develop their skills and pursue their dreams of becoming professional baseball players. This year marks the 21st edition of the tournament, which is organized by the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) and involves teams from all 12 professional baseball clubs in Japan. Each participating team is managed by a former professional player, offering invaluable guidance and experience to the young athletes.

As the tournament evolves, this year's event includes previous invitee teams from the Farm League and independent league junior teams, expanding the competition to 16 teams in total. Participants are typically composed of fifth and sixth-grade students, showcasing the next generation of talent in Japanese baseball.

About the Rakuten Eagles Junior Team

Known colloquially as the "Rakuten Junior", the selected players are not only skilled in baseball but also embody the values of teamwork, respect, and sportsmanship. They strive to be role models for young baseball players across the Tohoku region. The training and development these athletes undergo aim to enhance not only their athletic abilities but also their character and unity, representing the strength and spirit of Tohoku baseball on a national level.

Coaching Staff

• - Representative: Shoji Ohira (Former Rakuten Eagles infielder, current staff member)
• - Manager: Kanji Teraoka (Former Rakuten Eagles pitcher, current academy coach)
• - Coaches: Tatsuhiro Iwasaki and Shoki Furukawa (both current academy coaches)

Upcoming Training Schedule

To prepare for the tournament, the team will engage in a series of intensive training camps every weekend, starting from October 4 through December 21, culminating in the tournament days from December 26 to December 29. The training sessions will take place in Sendai City, where the young athletes will hone their skills and foster camaraderie. The complete training schedule is as follows:

• - Oct 4-5: First training camp
• - Oct 11-13: Second training camp
• - Oct 18-19: Third training camp
• - Oct 25-26: Fourth training camp
• - Nov 1-3: Fifth training camp
• - Nov 8-9: Sixth training camp
• - Nov 15-16: Seventh training camp
• - Nov 22-24: Eighth training camp
• - Nov 29-30: Ninth training camp
• - Dec 6-7: Tenth training camp
• - Dec 13-14: Eleventh training camp
• - Dec 20-21: Twelfth training camp
• - Dec 25: Travel to tournament venue
• - Dec 26-28: Tournament matches at Yokohama Stadium and Jingu Stadium
• - Dec 29: Finals at Jingu Stadium

Historical Performance of Rakuten Eagles Junior

The Rakuten Eagles Junior team has previously experienced varying degrees of success in the tournament, including two championships, two runner-up finishes, and six third-place honors. Their history in the tournament reflects their competitive spirit and commitment to excellence in youth baseball.

For Inquiries

For additional information regarding the Rakuten Eagles Junior team or participation in the NPB Junior Tournament, please contact the Rakuten Baseball School Group at:

• - Phone: 050-5865-6134

Please attribute any images used to "ⓒRakuten Eagles" or "Provided by Rakuten Baseball Team".