Two Elite Baseball Teams at Chukyo High School
Chukyo High School is proud to host two nationally recognized baseball teams: the rubber-ball (soft baseball) team and the hardball (standard baseball) team. While both compete at high levels, each team has its own style, goals, and strengths that make them unique.
Rubber-Ball vs Hardball Baseball
Rubber-ball baseball uses lightweight rubber balls that slow down impact and are commonly used in school clubs and amateur leagues. Hardball baseball uses leather-covered balls that are heavier, travel faster, and are standard in high school, university, and professional play.
Both sports use similar bats—either metal or wooden— Hardball gloves and catcher’s gear are tougher and designed for stronger impact. These equipment differences influence how the game is played and the type of training involved.
The Dominant Rubber-Ball Team
Chukyo’s rubber-ball baseball team is one of the most successful in Japan. They’ve won the All Japan High School Rubber Baseball Championship 13 times, including an impressive three-year winning streak. This year, they’re aiming for a historic fourth consecutive title.
- Team size: 39 members (including 2 managers)
- Practice schedule:
- Weekdays: After school until 7:30 PM
- Weekends and holidays: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
- Training routine: Warm-ups, catch play, fielding drills (“knock”), machine batting, and situational hitting
Team captain Kazuma Inagaki, a shortstop, leads with the motto: “A humble heart, a spirit of gratitude, and a desire for growth.”
For this team, national victory isn’t the final goal—it’s a step toward becoming respectable, well-rounded individuals after graduation. Their core values are:
- Humility: Staying grounded no matter how successful they become
- Gratitude: Recognizing those who support them daily
- Ambition: Always striving to improve
Most distant member: Kenshiro Kitagawa, a 3rd base, from Shiga Prefecture. Inspired by a senior who won the championship at Chukyo, Kenshiro joined with the dream of becoming number one in Japan.
The Hardball Team Chasing Koshien Dreams
The hardball baseball team at Chukyo trains with the ultimate goal of reaching Koshien—the most prestigious high school baseball tournament in Japan.
- National appearances:
- Spring Koshien: 5 times
- Summer Koshien: 7 times
- Best result: Top 4 in summer tournament
- Team size: 81 members (including managers)
- Practice schedule:
- Tuesday: 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
- Wednesday–Friday: 2:00 PM – 7:00 PM
- Weekends and holidays: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Training: Balanced focus on defense, offense, and conditioning
Team Captain Naoya Takata, an outfielder, follows the motto “Isshou Kenmei,“ which he reinterprets to mean putting in selfless effort with a positive attitude. He finds joy in winning and making big plays, believing those moments make all the hard training worthwhile.
Most distant member: Haruto Yamamoto, a pitcher, from Yamaguchi Prefecture. He chose Chukyo to grow as a player and reach the national stage at Koshien, undeterred by the distance from home.
Together, these two teams represent the spirit of Chukyo High School—striving for victory, personal growth, and excellence in everything they do.
