In a change of policy, the Japan High School Baseball Association (JHSBA), following the recommendations of its special panel, has decided to conditionally accept preferential treatment — such as exemptions of admission and tuition fees — for talented baseball players. Previously it had opposed preferential treatment, citing Chapter 13 of the Japan Student Baseball Association (JSBA) charter, which bars it on the principle of limiting the influence of money in the sport.
With its decision the association has accepted the present reality of high school baseball, whose spring and summer tournaments at Koshien Stadium are national events. An April survey found that 376 high schools were giving preferential treatment to 7,971 students. Many private high schools regard baseball as a vital publicity tool to attract attention and more students.
The panel asked the association to take a realistic approach, theorizing that to help students make use of their special talent through preferential treatment follows the spirit of the School Education Law and takes precedence over the JSBA charter.