High school baseball federation proposes letting girls participate in practice sessions at Koshien

How 20th century of them.

Tournament regulations specify that only males are allowed to play on the grounds as part of “hazard prevention” measures. The rules also apply to practice sessions.

And just how is having a female teenager on the grounds more hazardous than the 80's something grandpa's that are often seen on the grounds acting as "official's" in some capacity?

This is just so condescending to women and one of the things that truly annoys me about this country.

let them play together. These days, we often see young women working on construction sites with men. If THAT'S ok, what's wrong with a friendly baseball practice?

Most of the girls I teach would wipe the floor in any contest with their wimpy male counterparts.

a this is why Japan ranks about 100th in the world in terms of gender equality. Behind China, Uganda and Ghana to name a few. Banzai!! Baseball is changing things one stupid rule at a time.

Tournament regulations specify that only males are allowed to play on the grounds as part of “hazard prevention” measures. The rules also apply to practice sessions.

Hazard prevention my butt! It's just blatant sexism! Women are not allowed on the field because it's a man's world.

Hazard prevention, eh?

To prevent hazards in a serious way, shouldn't high school boys be prohibited from being on the field? I mean, more high school boys have been injured on the field than girls. Just looking at the statistics, of course.

I think Speed had it right.

change takes time. it's not like girls were stampeding or demanding to be allowed onto the baseball field. once people were made aware of the rule, they protested, and now the rules will be changed. democracy has it's own pace.

Good on the high school federation for finally putting through the proposal to the board, but the old farts at the Koshien board will probably make some stupid backward excuse to keep the status quo.

Good on the high school federation for finally putting through the proposal to the board,

For what? To allow female managers to walk on the field during practice sessions? This is blatant sexism, and discrimination, and the HS federation is just doing a window dressing here to appease people.

Reading this kind of news is like a travel back to a very distant past in the western civilization.

While I welcome this change, the problem was twofold, firstly the presence of an archaic rule and secondly, the willingness of certain people to enforce an archaic rule regardless of how unfair it is or how much it might upset someone.

I would like the Baseball Association to also work on the second of those problems. I'm sure there are plenty of other archaic rules and practices out there just waiting to applied without regard for common sense.

I would like the Baseball Association to also work on the second of those problems. I'm sure there are plenty of other archaic rules and practices out there just waiting to applied without regard for common sense.

Yeah like allowing a woman to award a sumo wrestler their championship trophy, but can't because "women" are not allowed on the dohyou.

Oh and when there are no practice sessions or games being played both women and girls are allowed on the grounds.

One other thing, in Japanese Pro-Baseball there is no such rule either, as they also have ball-fetchers that are female, and during batting practice or after games, female reporters are on the grounds too.

So...it's a plain stupid rule that should be shredded at the earliest convenience, like yesterday, and THIS should not even be news.

@Mike:We are talking Koshien. Games are played outside. ;I doubt anyone will wipe floor. FYI, Kosher has grounkeepers who get paid. Do you ever watched a game?

Toshiko san

""will wipe floor"" doesn't mean actually wipe the floor its a phrase that means someone is BETTER at doing something than another person in this case the OP meant many Japanese girls are likely BETTER players than some boys

Baby steps.

Tournament regulations specify that only males are allowed to play on the grounds as part of “hazard prevention” measures.

Reminds me of men in some societies who do not want their wife to drive cause it's 'too dangerous" and as men they should protect their missus! How hypocritical.

Let them familiarise themselves with the bat if they want to.

I think they're just scared some of the girls would beat the pants off the boys, so they need to keep the women down and won't let them play. Japan will never grow up and get with the times.

@GW: Write the name of language that has explanation you wrote to me. Not Japanese, certainly not American.

@toshiko - It's an English idiom.

In USA, MLB players are all males. One minor.A team in Colorado. had girls. Women are not prohibited on ground during games. More and more women. buy tickets now.. This Kooshien story will reduce ticket sales. of other games.

If safety is their concern then require people to wear protective gear like helmets, vests, and so on. One advantage girls have is they don't need a cup.

Next domino to fall will be sumo.

Outrider: Next domino to fall will be sumo.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sumo_World_Championships

Sumo World Championships

Women's Individual Competition

Women's Team Competition