Baseball Clinic by Former Pro Player Masataka Minatogawa to Open Again in Tsu City for Fiscal 2026

The specified non-profit organization Mie Lifelong Sports Association (Tsu City, Mie Prefecture; Chairman: Shohei Takeda) will open a 'Baseball Clinic Taught by a Former Professional Baseball Player' at the Hokubu Sports Square in Tsu City, welcoming former Chunichi Dragons player and former Chunichi Dragons Junior manager Masataka Minatogawa as the instructor. This project is entering its third year. For fiscal 2026, looking toward the further growth of participants, a fixed-member system has been introduced to establish an environment for continuous learning. It will be a small-group system with a maximum of 18 students per class, providing an opportunity for each individual to thoroughly learn the key points of improving their baseball skills.

Mr. Minatogawa advanced from Toho High School to Keio University, where he was selected for the Best Nine during his university years. In 2002, he was drafted and joined the Chunichi Dragons. Since retiring as an active player, he has been widely active as a baseball coach, baseball commentator, and fashion designer. Furthermore, during his time as manager of the Chunichi Dragons Junior team, he led the team to victory in the NPB 12 Teams Junior Tournament in both 2017 and 2021. Being able to learn directly from a coach with such an impressive track record is a major attraction of this baseball clinic.

The 2026 baseball clinic will be held once a month on Wednesdays at the Hokubu Sports Square, targeting 4th to 6th-grade elementary school students. The sessions run from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, with the July 29 and August 26 sessions scheduled from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM. The participation fees are 2,200 yen (tax included) for the 2026 clinic registration fee, and 3,300 yen (tax included) per session.

For children who want to get better at baseball and love the sport even more, this is a valuable opportunity to receive continuous, professional instruction from a former pro player. We sincerely look forward to your participation. Please note that registration will close as soon as capacity is reached.

● Clinic Overview
Venue: Hokubu Sports Square (601-3 Kurimachinayama-cho, Tsu City, Mie Prefecture) *Subject to partial changes.
Dates: April 22 (Wed), May 27 (Wed), June 24 (Wed), July 29 (Wed), August 26 (Wed), September 30 (Wed), October 28 (Wed), November 25 (Wed), 2026
Time: 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM *July 29 (Wed) and August 26 (Wed) will be 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Target: 4th to 6th-grade elementary students
Instructor: Mr. Masataka Minatogawa (Former Chunichi Dragons player, former Chunichi Dragons Junior manager)
Instructor Profile:
Former Chunichi Dragons player. Advanced from Toho High School to Keio University, winning Best Nine in the fall of his junior year and spring of his senior year. Drafted by the Chunichi Dragons in 2002. After retiring, he has been active as a baseball commentator, coach, and fashion designer. As manager of the Chunichi Dragons Junior team, he led them to championship victories in the NPB 12 Teams Junior Tournament in 2017 and 2021.
Capacity: 18 students
Participation Fee: 2026 Baseball Clinic Registration Fee 2,200 yen (tax included), Fee per session 3,300 yen (tax included)
Organizer: NPO Mie Lifelong Sports Association
Sponsor: Nissho Highway Co., Ltd.
Application Method: Please apply from the 'Former Pro Baseball Player Baseball Clinic' section on the Mie Lifelong Sports Association website.

[Contact Information]
NPO Mie Lifelong Sports Association
CS Building 6F, 18-15 Kotobuki-cho, Tsu City, Mie Prefecture 514-0015
TEL: 059-273-5300 (Weekdays 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM)
HP: https://lifelong-sport.jp