Overview
Preseason games (open-sen) are exhibition matches played from late February through March before the NPB regular season begins. Although results do not count toward official records, these games hold critical importance for both players and organizations as the proving ground for spring training preparation. The primary purpose of preseason games is roster selection. For players competing for starting spots, preseason performance directly influences whether they make the opening-day roster or are sent to the farm team. Rookies and young players who impressed during camp view these games as their final audition before the coaching staff. For pitchers, preseason games provide a structured environment to gradually increase pitch counts and fine-tune mechanics ahead of the season. Starters compete for rotation spots while relievers work to regain game-ready sharpness. The preseason schedule features cross-league matchups as well as occasional games against corporate or independent league teams. For fans, preseason games offer the first glimpse of new acquisitions and prospects, building anticipation for the coming season. However, preseason results should be interpreted cautiously: established stars often limit their playing time for conditioning purposes, and the competitive intensity does not fully mirror regular-season play.