Konami Digital Entertainment is launching the "Exciting Player Selection" in the mobile game Pro Yakyuu Spirits A (Professional Baseball Spirits A) (hereafter "ProSpi A"). Round 1 starts on May 28 (Thursday), and Round 2 begins on June 4 (Thursday) at 3:00 PM.
The "Exciting Player Selection" is a scout event where players can acquire athletes from all 12 NPB teams, who appear in the ProSpi A head-to-head videos published on the official YouTube channel "Pawapuro & ProSpi Official Channel." The featured players are equipped with the special ability "Excitement" (熱気), which converts the heat of the game into power.
In Round 1 starting today, 12 players appear including Taisei Makihara (Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks), Reyes (Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters), pitcher Taisuke Yamaoka (Orix Buffaloes), Shota Morishita (Hanshin Tigers), Shugo Maki (Yokohama DeNA BayStars), and Yuta Izumiguchi (Yomiuri Giants).
The "Exciting Present" campaign is also live, distributing an "S-Rank Exciting Player Contract (Round 1)" to all players who log in during the Round 1 period, and an "S-Rank Exciting Player Contract (Round 2)" to all players who log in during the Round 2 period.
For the 2026 season, two eSports tournaments are also confirmed. The Darvish Yu-supervised "GEMSTONE Darvish Challenge Cup 2026 Season" ("Daru Challe") will be held from June through August, and in January–March 2027, the "ProSpi A Championship 2026 Season" ("Spi Champ") will determine the top ProSpi A player in Japan.
Watch Pro Yakyuu Spirits A (Professional Baseball Spirits A) Head-to-Head Videos with NPB Players on YouTube — Players Reflect on Their Most Exciting Moments from Last Season
The official YouTube channel "Pawapuro & ProSpi Official Channel" is publishing head-to-head ProSpi A match videos featuring players from the teams appearing in the Exciting Player Selection. Beyond the in-game action, the opening of each video includes a segment where each player shares their most memorable and exciting moments from last season — including their own standout plays, teammates' achievements, and other players who inspired them.
YouTube "Pawapuro & ProSpi Official Channel": https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWzEh28vj3mQKpe0fzVTOUw
Exciting Player Selection Round 1 — Featuring SoftBank's Makihara, Hanshin's Morishita and More!
Period: May 28 (Thursday) 3:00 PM – June 4 (Thursday) 2:59 PM
What was Makihara's most memorable moment from last season?
The last at-bat when I won the batting title was the moment I felt the most focused and fired up.
What was Reyes's most memorable moment from last season?
The go-ahead hit in Game 2 of the Climax Series against Orix. I still get excited thinking about it now.
The fans and my teammates were so pumped up, and my family was there too — that moment is something I'll never forget.
What was pitcher Yamaoka's most memorable moment from last season?
Coming in as a relief pitcher with runners on first and third in the Saitama Seibu game and striking out two batters in a row. It was my first time putting out a fire as a reliever, and I couldn't allow a single run — so striking them out in that situation meant a lot.
What was Soyama's most memorable moment from last season?
Probably my first walk-off hit against Saitama Seibu. I'd had a walk-off sacrifice fly before that, but the walk-off hit was a first for me — ending a game with your own single swing was a great feeling.
What was pitcher Yamada's most memorable moment from last season?
Picking off a runner to get the double play with the bases loaded and one out against Hanshin. It felt great to pull off something I'd been practicing in spring training during an actual game.
What was pitcher Taneichi's most memorable moment from last season?
Probably the game where I threw a complete game victory.
What was Morishita's most memorable moment from last season?
Hitting a walk-off home run at Koshien during the Climax Series — that was really something special.
What was Maki's most memorable moment from last season?
The diving catch at first base to turn a double play in Game 2 of the Climax Series. I think it was a play that kept the momentum from shifting to the other team.
What was Izumiguchi's most memorable moment from last season?
The game where pitcher Masahiro Tanaka recorded his 200th career win.
What was pitcher Kanemaru's most memorable moment from last season?
The at-bat against Munetaka Murakami stands out the most.
I'd always wanted to face him, and after striking him out in the first at-bat, he hit a home run off me in the second, and then in the third it was just barely a center-field fly that nearly went out. That entire sequence was electric.
What was Fabian's most memorable moment from last season?
The grand slam to take the lead against the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks.
Being down 0-2 with two strikes in the sixth inning and still hitting a grand slam — that really left an impression.
What was pitcher Hoshi's most memorable moment from last season?
Striking out the third, fourth, and fifth batters back-to-back in the ninth inning against the Giants was the most exciting thing for me.
Exciting Player Selection Round 2 — Featuring Nippon-Ham's Isohata and DeNA's Sano and More!
Period: June 4 (Thursday) 3:00 PM – June 12 (Friday) 2:59 PM
What was Nomura's most memorable moment from last season?
The first home run I hit in the 10th inning away at ZOZO Marine Stadium.
What was Isohata's most memorable moment from last season?
The team had so many walk-off wins that season. I wasn't directly involved in them, but I was really impressed by how many exciting moments the team delivered. That stands out for me.
What was pitcher Sogaya's most memorable moment from last season?
Probably the game where I threw my first complete game against Saitama Seibu. We were tied through eight innings, my teammates scored to put us ahead in the ninth, and I finished with three up, three down. Pitching all the way through by yourself is tough, but it felt really great!
What was Nakajima's most memorable moment from last season?
Hitting a game-winning home run in extra innings at ES CON FIELD was the most exciting thing for me. Neither side had been able to score, and connecting for a home run in a 0-0 game was a personal thrill — and the team went on to win. That's the kind of game I push myself to create every time I practice.
What was pitcher Kaino's most memorable moment from last season?
I was going to say "nothing!" — but actually there was one. Setting the team record of 15 consecutive hold points.
What was Nishikawa's most memorable moment from last season?
Throwing out a runner at home on Opening Day — that play has stayed with me the most.
What was pitcher Murakami's most memorable moment from last season?
Clinching three titles in the final game of the season against Tokyo Yakult on October 2.
What was Sano's most memorable moment from last season?
The home run I hit in the first inning of Game 2 of the Climax Series, right after the team had given up five runs in the opening frame. I think it fired the first shot in our comeback.
What was pitcher Taisei's most memorable moment from last season?
The game where my title was clinched. I was on the mound for the game where pitcher Masahiro Tanaka was going for his 200th career win, and my title was confirmed at the same time. That game stands out for me.
What was pitcher Shimizu's most memorable moment from last season?
Giving up a timely hit to Kaito Kozono. The result was a negative, but in my mind it was an exciting at-bat. It had been a while since we'd faced each other, and it was a lot of fun. Every matchup with Kozono is something I look forward to.
What was Montero's most memorable moment from last season?
Two things. First, making a sharp double play in the ninth inning against the Giants — a grounder came my way, I stepped on first base and threw home cleanly. Second, hitting a go-ahead home run off tough pitcher Kotaro Otake of Hanshin when the team was going through a rough patch and we pulled through for the win.
What was Nagaoka's most memorable moment from last season?
I'd been out for about three months with an injury before returning. Walking back onto the field at Jingu Stadium with the stands packed and feeling the roar of the crowd — I was reminded all over again just how incredible the fans are.
eSports Tournaments "Daru Challe" and "Spi Champ" Return for 2026 — "Daru Challe" Gets a Revamped Format
"Daru Challe" 2026: Two Divisions Running Simultaneously — "Takumi" and "Sou"
Now in its sixth year, "Daru Challe" is a ProSpi A eSports tournament supervised by pitcher Yu Darvish. For the 2026 season, the tournament format has been completely revamped, running two separate competitions simultaneously.
The GEMSTONE Darvish Challenge Cup 2026 Season -Takumi- will be held in the "Technical Cup" format with unified individual spirit levels, while the GEMSTONE Darvish Challenge Cup 2026 Season -Sou- will be held in the "League Rivalry Cup" format using a new rule where lineups must consist solely of players from either the Central League or Pacific League.
Online qualifying for both divisions begins on Sunday, June 28. The top four qualifiers from each division (eight total) will compete in a tournament at the finals held on Saturday, August 16, with one winner from each division being crowned. The finals will be streamed live.
For more details, visit the official site: https://e-baseball.konami.net/darvish_yu/2026/challenge_cup/
"Spi Champ" 2026: Now in Its 9th Year — World Rankings Point Accumulation Starts June 6
"Spi Champ" is now in its ninth year as the eSports tournament to determine the strongest ProSpi A player. The competition features intense 1-vs-1 real-time matches using the "Real-Time Match" mode.
Eight players will compete for the title — four who advance through qualifiers, plus four in special invitation slots including a world ranking slot. World ranking point accumulation for the 2026 season begins on Saturday, June 6. Online qualifiers are scheduled to start in January 2027.
Build your own ultimate lineup and take on the challenge of becoming Japan's best. For more details, visit the official site: https://e-baseball.konami.net/pawachamp/2026/prospi_a/
About Pro Yakyuu Spirits A (Professional Baseball Spirits A)
Over 72 million downloads (as of April 2026)! Using "3D Scan" technology that photographs professional baseball players from 360 degrees and recreates them as in-game 3D models, the app delivers stunning graphics and immersive excitement that goes beyond what you'd expect from a mobile game. Players can enjoy intuitive baseball action and player development in this fully-featured pro baseball game app. Collect and develop real NPB players to build the ultimate team and compete against rivals across Japan to aim for the championship. The app also features rich baseball information including match data and player stats, making it enjoyable as a pro baseball information tool as well.
Official Site: https://www.konami.com/games/prospi_a/
Official X: @prospiA_PR
