Olympics 2020 - Baseball and Softball

Published on : 04/03/2019
by : O.F.

Stade de Baseball de Yokohama — Yokohama Baseball Stadium
ATOSHI TOMIYAMA

Between the cities of Fukushima and Yokohama

Baseball was introduced to Japan in 1872 and is currently one of the most popular sports in the country. Baseball will therefore naturally return to the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. And that, accompanied by softball.

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baseball events

Baseball will make a comeback at the Tokyo Summer Games after being sidelined at the 2012 Olympics in London and 2016 in Rio.

It made its first appearance at the 1912 Summer Olympics in Stockholm but was then only played as a demonstration sport, not an Olympic event.

It was 80 years later, at the 1992 Games in Barcelona, that it first became an Olympic sport. To date, baseball has only taken part in five Olympics.

And its integration in 2020 does not ensure that it will remain on the agenda of the next Olympic Games because it was only integrated after the insistence of Japan, which won its case as the host country. If you're a sports fan, don't miss the opportunity!

To discover: Baseball in Japan

And if baseball is a rather anonymous sport in France, and in Europe in general, it is nevertheless extremely popular in other countries such as Japan, but also the United States or Cuba. Called yakyu in Japanese, it can be considered the national sport of the country, on the same level as baseball in America.

Also read: The most popular sports in Japan

And six teams from all over the world will qualify for the Olympic baseball tournament. The small number of teams involved has led to a somewhat unusual competition format which will be built over 16 games.

While Japan, as the host country, is automatically qualified, the other teams will be selected after competitions taking place during the year 2019. There will be two teams from the American continent, a team from Asia/Oceania, a team from Europe/Africa, and a final one will be selected at the end of a world tournament.

Note that only a men's tournament will be organized during the 2020 Games. To encourage a women's team, it is on the softball side that you will have to turn.

Softball events

For its return as an Olympic sport, baseball is accompanied by softball.

Less known and less popular with the general public, softball was nevertheless included in the Olympic Games from 1996 to 2008.

During the Tokyo Olympics, the organization of the events will be very similar to that of baseball. And these are six teams from different corners of the world that will take part in the tournament with 17 games played during the competition.

softball au JO 2020 de Tokyo — softball
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A descendant of baseball, softball is very similar to it but differs in several aspects. Among these differences: the equipment is similar but is not identical in size and shape, the field is smaller and the pitches are made underhanded in shorter distance.

Yokohama City

Yokohama Stadium is a baseball stadium located in the heart of the city, in Kanagawa Prefecture, just steps from the Pacific Ocean. It has a capacity of 30,000 seats.

The baseball events will take place in this stadium from July 30 to August 6 and the final will be held there on the evening of Saturday, August 8. The softball ones, meanwhile, will be from July 22 to July 27 and the final will be played there on July 28.

Address: Yokohamakoen, Naka-ku, 231-0022 Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture

What is there to do in Yokohama?

One of the symbolic places of the city is the port Minano Mirai 21. With its futuristic skyscrapers, its shops, and the Cosmo World amusement park, it is an ideal place to walk along the Pacific Ocean.

To read: Night walk in Yokohama and A day in Yokohama

A stone's throw from the stadium, China Town is full of culinary specialties from the continent. It is the largest "Chinatown" in Asia and is one of the city's must-see attractions. In its narrow and colorful streets, you will find a large number of Chinese shops and restaurants. It's the perfect place to eat before or after a game!

Visiting Yokohama with Kids

Fukushima City

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has given the green light for the organization of baseball and softball events in Fukushima. The city and its region were victims of one of the worst nuclear disasters in history in March 2011. Today it is a symbol of the reconstruction of the areas affected by the natural and nuclear disasters of 2011 and will be particularly highlighted during the Tokyo Olympics in 2020.

The opening matches of the baseball and softball competitions will therefore be held at the Fukushima Azuma baseball stadium, which has a capacity of 14,300. This will be July 29 from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm for Baseball and July 22 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm for Softball.

Address : Kamikotoba-1 Sabara, 960-2158 Fukushima

What is there to do in Fukushima?

The city of Fukushima is not known for its tourist side but there are nevertheless things to do there. Located at the foothills of the Azuma Mountain Range, the city offers a variety of natural and seasonal attractions, including hot springs, hiking trails through dramatic volcanic landscapes, and Hanamiyama Park, which is beautiful when the famous sakura blooms.

If you have a car, we recommend the Bandai-Azuma road, which passes directly next to the crater of Mount Azuma and from where you can admire the Bandai-Asahi National Park.

Find our file on the Tokyo Summer Olympics in 2020

For more information on the 2020 Summer Olympics:

Our tours in Japan for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics

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With more than 38 years of experience, Japan Experience offers tours to explore the Japanese archipelago. For a first discovery trip or an umpteenth stay in Japan, one of our 2020 Olympics tours will meet your desires!

The 2020 Summer Games are mainly based in Tokyo and its surroundings. This is an opportunity to discover the region but also to go on an adventure to the four corners of the archipelago. Our experts have created tours to discover the treasures of Japan, the most famous places in Kyoto and Tokyo but also those off the beaten track.

Entrust the logistics of your stay in Japan to our experts and be amazed without the stress of organization!

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