Professional baseball Softbank has announced that it will establish a 4th army from next season.
According to the team, it is the first time in 12 teams.
In 2011, SOFTBANK created the 3rd Army in addition to the 1st and 2nd Army, and has trained players who will play a leading role in the baseball world, such as ace pitcher Kodai Senga and regular catcher Takuya Kai.
Softbank held a press conference in Chikugo City, Fukuoka Prefecture, where the farm facility is located, on the 30th, and announced that it would establish a 4th army from the next season.
According to the team, it is the first time for 12 teams to set up a 4th army.
At the draft meeting, Softbank nominated 19 newcomers, including 14 trained players last year, and 20 newcomers, including 14 trained players this year, and has been preparing for the establishment of the 4th army.
SoftBank General Manager Sugihiko Mikasa said, "The purpose is to further expand the player development system. As the Hawks are said to be, the main players have been brought up. We are pursuing to become the strongest team from Chikugo to the world. I'm aiming for a professional baseball team," he said.
In addition, manager Fumi Ogawa, who will be in charge of the 3rd army this season and the 4th army next season, said, “I want to develop tough players.I think there are many young players who have just graduated from high school. I would like to give you advice," he said.