What is Nanshiki Baseball
Nanshiki Baseball （軟式野球） is a type of ball sport that is different from baseball in that it uses a soft ball made of a soft material. The Nanshiki Ball（軟式球） is made by wrapping a rubber or sponge core with cloth and then covering it with synthetic leather or rubber.
Nanshiki Baseball is widely popular among girls, children, and beginners, as well as adults, and is considered a sport that emphasizes strategy and technique rather than speed and power, as the ball is lighter and slower than a baseball. It is also considered to be a safer sport with a lower risk of injury, making it a popular choice for school and community baseball teams.
In Nanshiki Baseball, M-ball is one of the size indicators of the ball, and "M" stands for "major". The M-ball has a diameter between approximately 21cm and 23.5cm, and is regulated to have a weight in the range of about 150g to 180g.
M-ball is mainly used by elementary and junior high school students, and female players, and is slightly larger and lighter than a baseball used in hardball baseball. Therefore, it is designed with less pitching and hitting power in mind, and it also prioritizes safety. In addition, compared to hardball baseball, M-ball is slower and easier to curve, requiring players to emphasize their technical and strategic skills.
M-ball is one of the most commonly used balls in Nanshiki Baseball and is often used in school, community, and tournament games. It can be purchased at many sporting goods stores in Japan.
