Meiji University’s Baseball Legacy: A Coach’s Wisdom Beyond the Draft

Meiji University’s baseball program stands as a cornerstone of Japanese amateur baseball, consistently producing elite talent and dominating the collegiate landscape. The university’s recent run of success, including the 2019 All-Japan University Baseball Championship, featuring pitcher Nobuhito Morishita now with the Hiroshima Toyo Carp, reflects a long-standing tradition of excellence. Over the past 15 years, the team landed a remarkable 26 players in the professional ranks, including the first overall draft pick, Rui Soyama, recently joining the Rakuten Monkeys. This impressive record, dubbed a “professional training factory,” has solidified Meiji University’s position at the forefront of Japanese baseball development.

But amidst the accolades and the constant influx of drafted players, former coach Tanaka Takehiro—retired at the end of last year after a remarkable 14-year tenure—offers a strikingly different perspective. Rather than solely focusing on immediate draft success, Tanaka’s approach emphasized long-term player development and a grounded understanding of the professional baseball environment.

“Now we’re not in an age where we’re just one company for the rest of our lives, and we’re in a society where we’re changing jobs or starting our own business by improving our skills, but as a person in our parents’ generation, I’ve been telling them that ‘we’re talking to them from so many companies,’”

Tanaka Takehiro, Former Meiji University Baseball Coach

During interviews following games, Tanaka rarely discussed individual draft candidates. Instead, he urged promising players to consider a broader career path, emphasizing that the professional world isn’t always a predictable or guaranteed success. He cautioned against overly ambitious, immediate aspirations, suggesting players contemplate a future beyond baseball’s competitive demands.

“Only a handful of people have been successful. Every year, when the end of the year comes, they are reported as “notifying them that they are no longer in their abilities,” but age doesn’t matter. That might happen in their early twenties. I wonder what to do when that happens.”

Tanaka Takehiro, Former Meiji University Baseball Coach

Tanaka’s background as a former Nissan Motor Company employee informs his advice. He actively connects players with opportunities within established Japanese corporations, recognizing the value of stable employment and suggesting it as a prudent alternative to the often-unpredictable life of a professional athlete. He emphasizes that many companies are eager to recruit baseball players, offering a supportive path beyond the field.

“I came from a company called Nissan Motors, and thanks to that, I’ve been able to come this way,” Tanaka explained. “Players who are aiming to become professionals have been invited by baseball teams of various companies. Although it is a tough time due to the recession, most of the Japanese companies have teams in adult baseball, so even if ordinary students wish to do so, it is difficult to get in.”

Tanaka’s wisdom extends beyond immediate career planning. He stresses the importance of preparation, advocating for players to explore various career options before committing fully to baseball. “Even so, I was planning to teach the bare minimum before sending it out so that I wouldn’t get depressed as a working adult.” He recognizes the potential for early retirement and the need for a stable plan for life after baseball.

This balanced approach—recognizing the allure of professional baseball while preparing young athletes for a wider range of futures—marks a unique and valuable distinction for Meiji University’s legacy.