Japan's First Fantasy Baseball League
ABOUT YAKYU
Yakyu is a fantasy sports league based around Japan’s highest level of baseball, Nippon Professional Baseball. Baseball is very popular in Japan, according to the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), “Baseball is so popular in Japan that many fans are surprised to hear that Americans also consider it their ‘national sport’.”
This is why we at Yakyu founded the first NPB fantasy sports league. Fantasy sports are a type of online game where members build made-up or simulated teams of real players from a professional sport. These teams compete based on the statistical performance of those players chosen in real-life games. The performance is then converted into points that are collected and summed-up according to a roster selected by each fantasy team. In fantasy sports, team owners draft, trade and cut (drop) players like in real sports. Members of fantasy sports can either play for money or for fun. Members compete with others to win prizes and money for an entertaining experience.
We at Yakyu decided that because of our and Japan’s love of baseball, as well as the popularity, it was the perfect idea to create the first ever Nippon baseball fantasy league. All four founders met in Japan at a Nippon baseball game and decided during the second inning we needed to make this idea come to life. So, we did and we have never been happier.
ABOUT THE FOUNDERS
Mat Whitelaw
Demi Beaumier
Sophie Ciglen
Danielle Isaacs
"After meeting the rest of the team, I was inspired by our joined passion for Japanese baseball. We realized that although we can’t be in Japan to see each game, there was still a way that we could stay connected from a distance and share the love for the game! That’s how our Fantasy League was born. It's been a great journey and we've formed some wonderful friendships along the way. Other than baseball, I have a passion for cooking all kinds of food - specifically Japanese food!"
"I grew up going to Toronto Blue Jays games with my dad, and quickly grew to love the sport. One day in 2014 I bought a lottery ticket, and shockingly (since I never win anything) won the jackpot! When trying to decide what I wanted to spend my winnings on, I had a sudden craving for sushi. That's when I knew: I had to go to Japan. While I was there, I discovered NPB, and instantly fell in love. When I decided to return to Japan last year for the home opener, I met my incredible co-founders, and, with a mutual love of both baseball and fantasy sports, we decided to create the league."
“I grew up loving sports. It has always been constant; it never seems to leave my life - even now my boyfriend works for the Toronto Blue Jays. I am constantly around baseball. He suggested while I was studying abroad to check out a Japanese baseball game because it is life changing, so I did and I met my three co-founders. This game changed my life in a great way in venturing into uncharted territory launching a business. I am excited for the challenge and excited for everyone to join!”
"I am a baseball fanatic and a fantasy league advocate. After years of following North American baseball I became obsessed with the Japanese league after a visit to the country last year. Snowboarding had brought me to the country but baseball made me stay. I ended up extending my stay so that I could catch the opening game of the season and would you believe, who was seated beside me but my future co-founders. We were seated beside each other at the game and after small talk we began planning a fantasy league right there and then."