Category: Baseball

On September 24, 2026, a live-discussion thread for the Yomiuri Giants vs. Hiroshima Carp game at Mazda Stadium went up on 5ch. After pitcher Nishidate’s failed sacrifice bunt led to Maru being thrown out, and Nishidate was left in to hit again instead of being pinch-hit for by the next batter, Matsumoto, criticism poured in with comments like “This is exactly the problem.” Meanwhile, Matsumoto’s league-leading batting average with runners in scoring position was brought up, along with hopes for the lineup. Opinions in the thread split between blaming Nishidate’s own lack of skill and questioning the managerial decision itself.

16AnonymousSep 24, 2026 19:21

Maru's hitting .361 since August? For real? Doesn't feel like he's been hitting that well

18AnonymousSep 24, 2026 19:21

Central League pennant race standings (as of September 23)

21AnonymousSep 24, 2026 19:21

The old guy really hustled on that one

22AnonymousSep 24, 2026 19:22

Matsumoto coming through clutch here

※This article is excerpted and summarized from the 5ch (Hello! Project board) thread “Giants Acting Manager 151.”

It was reported that the Sapporo Chamber of Commerce and Industry has asked Mayor Katsuhiro Akimoto to bring official first-team professional baseball games to Premist Dome (formerly Sapporo Dome), and the news drew a wave of reactions on 5ch’s Geinou/Sports Breaking News+ board. Ever since the Nippon-Ham Fighters relocated their home base to Es Con Field Hokkaido in 2023, the dome’s falling utilization rate has been a headache, and the Chamber of Commerce appears to be banking on an economic boost. In Japanese pro baseball, though, it’s notoriously hard for another team to hold official games in a rival team’s home territory without that team’s consent — making the Fighters’ stance the deciding factor. On the board, skepticism about the plan’s feasibility ran high, with posters slamming the dome’s artificial turf and rock-hard flooring, and others suggesting it’d be better used as Consadole Sapporo’s home ground.

HTB Hokkaido News

September 24

2026

Source: youtu.be / Original article here

*This article is excerpted and summarized from the 5ch (Geinou/Sports Breaking News+) thread “[Sapporo Dome] Sapporo Chamber of Commerce and Industry Asks Mayor Akimoto to Bring Official First-Team Pro Baseball Games to Premist Dome.”

Independent-league Kyushu Asia League team the Hinokuni (“Fire Country”) Salamanders announced on September 24 that they had terminated the contracts of MIRAI and HARUKA, two members of the club’s official dance unit “Sallys,” citing “a confirmed contract violation related to their activities.” The club apologized, saying “we sincerely apologize.” The specific nature of the violation was not disclosed. On 5channel’s Entertainment/Sports News+ board, speculation over the withheld details ran wild, while some questioned whether the termination was even fair given how little independent-league teams typically pay their staff, with comments like “They’re not idols — do they really have a no-dating rule?” and “If the pay’s that low, can you really blame them?”

Full-Count, 9/24

The Hinokuni Salamanders’ official dance unit “Sallys”

The Hinokuni Salamanders of the independent Kyushu Asia League announced on the 24th that they had decided to terminate the contracts of MIRAI and HARUKA of the official dance unit “Sallys,” stating: “We confirmed a contract violation related to their activities and have decided to terminate their contracts.”

Source: full-count.jp / Original article here

34AnonymousSep 24, 2026 17:24

73AnonymousSep 24, 2026 17:37

*This article is excerpted and summarized from the 5channel (Entertainment/Sports News+) thread “Team’s two cheerleaders have contracts ‘terminated’ — violation confirmed… Independent-league Hinokuni apologizes, ‘We sincerely apologize’.”

Chunichi Dragons manager talk buzzed on 5ch this week, with speculation that manager Kazuki Inoue will return next season, rumors that head coach Motohiro Shima could be promoted, and calls for a wildcard “third man” hire. Threads floated wishlists for Hideki Matsui and Kimiyasu Kudo, while others pointed out that the parent company, the Chunichi Shimbun, and factional politics within the alumni association have long shaped managerial appointments. The conversation naturally drifted to predictions for the Giants’ next manager (Yoshinobu Takahashi, Hayato Sakamoto, Tatsunori Hara, Hideki Matsui), showing just how much interest there is in managerial moves across the Central League.

※This article is excerpted and summarized from the 5ch (Hello Project board) thread “Chunichi Dragons’ next manager — talk of Inoue staying on, Shima’s promotion to head coach, and a “third man” rumor…“.

Shohei Ohtani, back from injury, started for the Dodgers but struck out swinging in a golden bases-loaded chance in the bottom of the 4th, as the team fell 1-5 to the Padres, snapping their 5-game win streak. Starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto also allowed runs to pile up, taking his 9th loss of the season, leaving the team’s playoff seeding still undecided. On 5channel, opinions on the loss were split — some said Ohtani’s strikeout shifted the game’s momentum, others questioned the moment he removed his gear during an ABS Challenge, and still others floated the jinx theory that “the team can’t win when Ohtani’s in the lineup.”

Sports Nippon

[ September 24, 2026, 14:14 ]

NL: Dodgers 1-5 Padres (September 23, 2026, Los Angeles)

Source: sponichi.co.jp / Original article here

※This article is compiled as an excerpt and summary of the 5channel (Geinou/Sports News+) thread “[USA] Shohei Ohtani goes 1-for-with-a-hit-and-a-walk in his return game! Strikes out swinging in a bases-loaded chance… Dodgers’ 5-game win streak snapped, Yamamoto takes 9th loss, playoff seeding still up in the air.”

A post appeared on 5ch’s “Nandemo Jikkyou” (anything-goes live commentary) board asking users to try out a self-made baseball simulation game. It’s a team-building sim where you play through seasons, pull players via gacha, and strengthen your roster — featuring fictional pitchers as well as a player clearly modeled on Shohei Ohtani. The thread saw a string of complaints about a difficulty curve where win rates barely budge for the first 20 years, plus gripes about the gacha’s clunky controls, though the developer himself jumped in directly to field feedback and requests. Some players reported finally winning it all in year 101, while others racked up 55 wins in their very first season, and several praised the game’s brisk pacing.

Put a lot of work into this 💪

Source: diamond-nine-baseball.com / Original article here

106AnonymousSep 24, 2026 15:25

Finally won my first world championship in year 101.

*This article is compiled and summarized from the 5ch (Nandemo Jikkyou G) thread “I made a baseball sim game!! I’d love for you to try it 😳😳.”

Dodgers pitcher Shohei Ohtani returned from the injured list on September 23 (September 24 in Japan) after recovering from right biceps inflammation, starting as the No. 2 hitter and DH in a home game against the Padres. In his first at-bat back, in the top of the first inning, he lined a single to right, drawing a huge ovation from the home crowd. On 5ch forum threads, plenty of posts genuinely celebrated his return, but sarcastic reactions also stood out — comments like “the team’s flow gets worse whenever Ohtani’s back” or “the mood got tense” — creating a real gap between the welcoming atmosphere and the cooler, more cynical takes.

He’s back! Shohei Ohtani gets a hit right out of the gate in his first at-bat since returning! Answers the roaring crowd with a single to right

◇NL: Dodgers vs. Padres (September 23, 2026, Los Angeles)

Dodgers pitcher Shohei Ohtani, 32, returned on the 23rd (the 24th in Japan) from right biceps inflammation and started as the No. 2 hitter and DH in a home game against the Padres. In his first at-bat back, in the first inning, he lined a clean single to right, producing a sharp crack of the bat right away.

Source: news.yahoo.co.jp / Original article here

*This article is excerpted and summarized from the 5ch (Geisports Sokuhou+) thread “[MLB] He’s back! Shohei Ohtani gets a hit right out of the gate in his first at-bat since returning! Answers the roaring crowd with a single to right.”

SoftBank Group (SBG) announced on September 24 that it will raise a total of $11.1 billion (roughly ¥1.7 trillion) through dollar- and euro-denominated corporate bonds. Rates run from 8.625% on the 3.5-year notes to 9.25% on the 5.5-year notes and as high as 9.75% on the 7.5-year notes — reportedly the largest single issuance ever of so-called “junk bonds,” debt rated below investment grade. The funds raised are said to be earmarked for SoftBank’s massive investment in OpenAI. Reactions on the thread ranged from users weighing whether to buy in, betting on Masayoshi Son’s judgment, to widespread skepticism about the risk of OpenAI’s business collapsing — and questions about whether this is even something retail investors could buy in the first place.

SoftBank Group Decides on Foreign Bond Issuance — World’s Largest Low-Rated Offering, 9.75% Interest

SoftBank Group (SBG) announced on the 24th that it will raise a total of $11.1 billion (roughly ¥1.7 trillion) through dollar- and euro-denominated bond issuances, with rates as high as 9.75%. This looks set to be the largest-ever single issuance of speculative-grade, low-rated debt (“junk bonds”) in the world.

Full details at the source. 2026/9/24

Source: nikkei.com / Original article here

*This article is compiled from excerpts and a summary of the 5channel (Breaking News+) thread “SoftBank Group Issues Bonds at Up to 9.75% Interest to Pay OpenAI $10 Billion — World’s Largest Single Junk Bond Offering.”

Shohei Ohtani returned to the starting lineup as the No. 2 hitter and DH in the September 23 (local time) game against the Padres, coming off a 15-day injured list stint for inflammation in his right biceps. He also took part in the team photo shoot before the game. On 5channel threads, the discussion centered on questions of fact: why he’s back batting second instead of his usual leadoff spot, speculation over whether the injury was really his biceps or actually his knee or neck, and theories that prospect De Paula — who’s being sent down to make room — is being lined up for a postseason-eligibility exception as an injury replacement.

Sponichi

[September 24, 2026, 07:27]

NL Dodgers vs. Padres (September 23, 2026, Los Angeles)

Source: sponichi.co.jp / Original article here

88AnonymousSep 24, 2026 09:31

Might be better if he just went back on the IL again

※This article is excerpted and summarized from the 5channel (Geinou/Sports News+) thread “[NL] Shohei Ohtani Returns to Starting Lineup as ‘2-Hole DH,’ Joins Team Photo Before Game.”

Kōhei Miyadai (31), a University of Tokyo graduate and former professional baseball player, has once again become a hot topic after appearing as a commentator for a Tokyo Big Six University Baseball broadcast. After retiring as a player, Miyadai worked at TMI Associates law firm while attending the University of Tokyo Law School, and announced in November 2025 that he had passed the bar exam. On a 5ch thread, some hailed him as “the ultimate embodiment of a scholar-athlete,” while others debated his limited number of professional pitching appearances and the difficulty of the bar exam, with the discussion expanding into comparisons with lawyers who came from other sports.

From Tokyo University to pro baseball to passing the bar exam on the first try and becoming a lawyer… Kōhei Miyadai’s Big Six baseball commentary appearance sparks reactions: “The ultimate embodiment of a scholar-athlete” / “Hope he becomes a fine lawyer”

▼ “Is this the first time a former pro baseball player has passed the bar exam?”

Reactions are pouring in for Kōhei Miyadai (31), a University of Tokyo graduate and former professional baseball player, who appeared as a commentator during a Tokyo Big Six University Baseball broadcast.

Source: nishispo.nishinippon.co.jp / Read the original article here

*This article is an excerpt and summary based on the 5ch (Geisokuhou+) thread “[BIG6.TV] From Tokyo University to Pro Baseball to Lawyer After Passing the Bar on the First Try — Kōhei Miyadai’s Big Six Baseball Commentary Sparks Reactions: “The Ultimate Embodiment of a Scholar-Athlete”.”