[Tournament Report]Ichiro was also very excited! ——The winner of the world’s best baseball e-sports match “Heughan WBSC e Premier 12 2024” is SHORA from Japan! | eSports World

The world tournament “Heughan WBSC ePremier 12 2024” for the baseball e-sports title “WBSC eBASEBALL™ Powerful Professional Baseball” will be held on Saturday, November 23, 2024. SHORA player representing Japan won. Former professional baseball player Ichiro rushed to the award ceremony.

SHORA player becomes e Premier 12 first champion

Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd. announced that SHORA will be the first e-Premier 12 champion in the world baseball e-sports tournament “Hughan WBSC e-Premier 12 2024” (hereinafter “e-Premier 12”) sponsored by the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC). We would like to inform you that it has been decided.

“ePremier 12” is a world e-sports tournament sponsored by the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC), using the WBSC official baseball game “WBSC eBASEBALL™ Powerful Professional Baseball” published by our company as the competition title. , will be held for the first time this year.

The final was held at Tokyo Dome, the same venue as the “World Baseball WBSC Premier 12” (hereinafter referred to as “Premier 12”), and two players, Dashu and SHORA, who had survived qualifying rounds around the world, participated. The match was Chinese Taipei vs. Japan, the same as the Premier 12 matchup to be held on the same day.

In the bottom of the 3rd inning, SHORA was leading 4-0, with the audience cheering just like the Japan National Baseball team. Not to be outdone, Dashu added two points, making the game exciting. I did. In the end, SHORA struck out and won the match, becoming the first e-Premier 12 champion.

Also, at the awards ceremony, tournament guest Ichiro presented the SHORA athletes with words of encouragement and certificates of commendation.

I am overwhelmed with emotion to be blessed with such blessings among so many customers. Ichiro was a player I looked up to, so I was happy when he said to me, “That was amazing, I was watching you.” Dashu is a good batting player, so our goal was to score extra points, and I’m glad we were able to score points in the second and third innings.
It was my first time competing with Japan on my back, so I’m really proud that we were able to win on behalf of Japan.

First of all, the amount of heat is amazing. It was much more than I expected. Also, as a baseball game, I was impressed by the high level of control techniques and strategies. Baseball is originally a brain sport, and players use strategies and tactics to score at least one more run than their opponent and give up at least one run less than their opponents during the nine-inning goal set. I think the essence of baseball and its original joy were truly expressed.

Also, just like in traditional baseball, you could feel that the players were seriously working hard to improve themselves as players. I think it was a wonderful game that captivated everyone who watched it.

You can check the details of the final match below.
https://youtube.com/live/itwv6SFgF1k?feature=share

Konami Digital Entertainment will continue to deliver the fun of e-sports to our customers through our efforts in e-sports.

What is the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC)?

The WBSC, the world governing body for baseball and softball, is headquartered in Puri, near Lausanne, Switzerland, and has 207 national federations and associate member organizations in 137 countries and regions across Asia, Africa, the Americas, Europe, and Oceania. The organization coordinates and promotes competitive baseball and softball activities that attract over 65 million athletes and approximately 150 million spectators annually to the stadium.

The WBSC oversees all international competitions in which official national teams participate, including the Premier 12, Baseball World Cup (U-12, U-15, U-18, U-23, Women), and Softball World Cup. Cup (U-15 Girls, U-18 Girls) , U-18 Men’s, U-23 Men’s, Women’s, Men’s), Baseball 5 (Senior Youth World Cup), and esports world championships, as well as baseball, softball, and Baseball 5 at the Olympic Games. I am in charge of the competition.

About our company’s efforts in e-sports related to baseball

Since 2016, we have been continuously working to expand and revitalize e-sports, such as by holding the national tournament of the “Powerful Professional Baseball” series. In 2017, we are also working on regional development using e-sports, such as cooperating with the Ehime e-baseball tournament, a cultural program of the Ehime National Athletic Meet.

Since 2018, we have been holding a professional e-sports league in collaboration with the Japan Baseball Organization (NPB), and we are also working with the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) to expand the number of baseball players around the world. In the international competitions “Olympic Virtual Series 2021” and “Olympic eSports Series 2023” sponsored by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the “Powerful Professional Baseball” series was selected as a competition title and competitions are being held.

<“WBSC eBASEBALL™ Powerful Professional Baseball” Product Information>
l Title: WBSC eBASEBALL™ Powerful Professional Baseball
l Manufacturer name notation: KONAMI
l Manufacturer’s suggested retail price: 100 yen (tax included) *No additional charges
l Delivery language: Japanese, English
l Number of players: Nintendo Switch™: TV mode 1 to 4 people, tabletop mode 1 to 4 people, handheld mode 1 person (*One Joy-Con is required for each player. If playing with 3 or more people, one Joy-Con is required for each player. Please prepare a controller.
PlayStation®4: 1 to 4 people (1 person when online)
l Note: To participate in the “Championship” mode within the game software on PS4®, you must subscribe to PS Plus (paid). Participation from the Switch version requires a subscription to Nintendo Switch Online (paid).
l Rights notice: Officially licensed video game of the World Baseball Softball Confederation “eBaseball” and “eBASEBALL” are registered trademarks or trademarks of Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd. in Japan and other countries and regions. ©Konami Digital Entertainment
l For reader inquiries: Customer Service Office TEL: 0570-086-573 *Weekdays 10:00-18:00 (Closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays)
That’s all