Overview
Match fixing is the act of predetermining the outcome of a game or specific plays, representing the most fundamental violation of professional sports integrity. In baseball, match fixing typically involves connections to gambling organizations, with players accepting payments to intentionally lose or underperform in specific situations. NPB history has been marked by several match-fixing scandals. The 'Black Mist Incident' of 1969-1971 revealed that multiple Nishitetsu Lions players had colluded with organized crime figures to fix games, resulting in severe penalties including permanent bans. The scandal severely damaged NPB's credibility and sent shockwaves through the entire baseball world. Preventing match fixing is an existential priority for professional baseball. NPB maintains multilayered safeguards including anti-gambling education for players, mandatory reporting of suspicious contacts, and comprehensive compliance frameworks. The 2015-2016 gambling scandal involving Giants players, while not match fixing per se, reignited concerns about the intersection of gambling and baseball. As sports betting legalization advances globally, vigilance against match-fixing risks has become increasingly critical.