Tropical climate lures pro baseball players for off season training

The tropical climate of Saipan, with its lush jungles and crystal-clear waters, has long attracted athletes seeking a place to train during their off-season and to take a break from their cold winters.

Professional baseball teams from Japan and South Korea have taken advantage of Saipan’s proximity and ideal weather conditions, with the latest to train on island are three players from the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles of Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) Pacific League. These players have been utilizing the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Baseball Field as part of their off-season regimen.

The three players—31-year-old catcher Takaya Tanaka, 32-year-old pitcher Tomohito Sakai, and 28-year-old pitcher Ryuji Komago—have been training under the guidance of their manager and trainer Kazuki Yoshikawa since Jan. 2, with their departure scheduled for Jan. 24.

During their stay, the players have not only been training at the baseball field, the adjacent track, and working out at Gold’s Gym, they’ve also found time for some rest and relaxation. One of their favorite spots is Mañagaha Island, with its clear, turquoise waters. They’ve also enjoyed other beaches around Saipan, engaging in activities like snorkeling, diving, or simply soaking up the sun.

This reporter had the opportunity to observe a full training session dedicated to hitting mechanics with Tanaka, held at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Baseball Field in Oleai last Sunday.

The players spoke to Marianas Press in Japanese via Google Translate, and Yoshikawa noted that Saipan is an ideal training destination due to the favorable weather. He also praised the island’s natural beauty, saying they can go to the beach on their days off and feel refreshed after.

Yoshikawa explained that they chose January to train because “in December and January, the three of us can move freely without needing to join the team.”

Tanaka, an 11-year veteran, had visited Saipan for training back in 2019, before the pandemic, and he returned this year with fond memories. For Sakai, Komago, and the rest of the team, this trip marks their first time training on the island, and they’ve expressed their enjoyment of the warm weather and the excellent training facilities.

When asked if they would return to Saipan for future training camps, they replied enthusiastically, “We want to come back next year!”

After completing their training in Saipan, the players will head to Okinawa, Japan, in February for further preparations in the warmer southern region.

The Rakuten Eagles, who boast a roster of over 70 players, finished the 2024 season in fourth place out of six teams. The 2025 NPB season is set to begin in late March.