西日本鉄道におけるプロ野球事業

―グループ経営の視点から―

抄録

This paper reveals the history of professional baseball business managed by Nishi-Nippon Railroad (NNR). NNR operated a few baseball stadiums to increase the number of railway passengers. In 1942, they attempted to host professional baseball games at stadiums, but this plan did not materialize. In 1949, they joined the Pacific League and gradually adopted the business model established by other railway companies. By merging with the Pirates in 1951, they emerged as the only professional baseball team based in the Kyushu region. In 1954, they built facilities for night games at the Heiwadai Baseball Stadium, run by Fukuoka City. In 1958, they fully renovated the stadium, began facility management, and acquired management rights for advertising signs and concession stands.

However, the contract with Fukuoka City was unsuitable for long-term maintenance and improvement. NNR decided to invest in Kokura Stadium in 1964 to develop a market in the Kitakyushu area. However, this investment failed to improve the company’s business. Furthermore, the company’s brand was severely damaged by the 1969 scandal. At the same time, the abolition of their Fukuoka-city-line became inevitable. Consequently, NNR lost its significance as a baseball business for earning railway fares. In October 1972, they decided to withdraw completely from the baseball business. This also resolved the difficult issue of renewing the contract with Fukuoka City.

The findings of this study are as follows. For facilities built by the public sector and used by private professional sports organizations, it is important to have a system to secure operating rights, a division of roles for maintenance and improvement, and long-term funding.