Independent league baseball is gaining traction in Japan, especially with the recent formation of teams like the Saga Indonesia Dreams. The Kyushu Asia League, established five years ago, emphasizes regional engagement and aims to bolster baseball's popularity across Asia.
Started with two teams, the Kumamoto Hino Kuni Salamanders and the Oita B-Rings, the league has expanded to include more clubs like the Kitakyushu Shimonoseki Phoenix and the Miyazaki Sunshine, rooted deeply within their local communities. This season, Saga Indonesia Dreams joined as a quasi-member team, signifying both growth and the league's outreach efforts.
The Kyushu Asia League is owned by entrepreneur Takafumi Horie, with teams like the Kitakyushu Shimonoseki Phoenix drawing significant attention due to players such as former SoftBank Hawks star Seiichi Uchikawa. Aiming for regional baseball expansion, the league focuses on community building and player development, with Saga Indonesia Dreams embodying this mission.
Formed predominantly by players from Indonesia and other Southeast Asian countries, the Saga Indonesia Dreams faced numerous challenges, including visa issues and the necessity for players to leave behind jobs to pursue baseball. Despite their efforts, the team struggled on the field, finishing the season with 16 losses and no wins.
Yet, the league's president, Tetsushi Tokumaru, sees this as part of their growth. Observing the enthusiastic support from local fans for the Indonesian players, he believes this interaction fosters meaningful connections, stating, “I feel our league’s existence is valued by being loved by the community.”
Players trained closely with the community, helping with farming tasks and participating actively in local summer festivals, creating invaluable opportunities for cultural exchange. The team's base at the historic Wata-ya Besso hotel provided not just accommodation but supported fostering ties between players and residents.
Comparatively, the four established teams demonstrated their own commitment to community service; for example, the Kitakyushu Shimonoseki Phoenix organized fundraising efforts after significant fires impacted local businesses earlier this year. These activities help keep the league grounded and involved with the local populace.
Looking forward, the league plans to reduce the number of games played by these established teams next season from 76 to around 65, aiming to allocate more time for community outreach initiatives. Tokumaru expressed hope for increased regional exchanges, recognizing their necessity for fostering bonds between teams and their hometowns.
Another important aspect lies with the steadily shrinking baseball demographic within Japan, even with Kyushu maintaining its strong affiliation with the sport through SoftBank Hawks and their fan base. Tokumaru aims to promote baseball among children, pushing for team formations throughout the countryside to encourage widespread participation. His ultimate vision includes having teams across every prefecture to amplify baseball's appeal, particularly through educational and outreach programs focusing on younger generations.
Having been directly involved with the league since its inception, Tokumaru carries personal memories of his past as he leads initiatives. He cherishes dreams of seeing players representing countries across Asia join the ranks of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), offering inspiration and opportunities for aspiring athletes.
“I hope many players will take flight to the NPB,” he noted earnestly. “It would be wonderful to see players from Asia make their way to the top leagues, giving back to their communities and inspiring others through their achievements.”
The narrative of the Kyushu Asia League and teams like the Saga Indonesia Dreams serves as a compelling representation of hope, determination, and effort to revitalize baseball through community engagement and cross-cultural exchange.
