1. These Provisions establish matters relating to spectators watching games hosted by the Nippon Professional Baseball Organization (hereinafter referred to as "NPB") and those who have been granted permission by NPB to conduct games (hereinafter collectively referred to as the "Host Organization" together with NPB), and thus aim to ensure the smooth progress of games and the safe and peaceful watching of games by spectators.
2. In these Provisions, the meaning of the following terms shall be as defined in any of the items, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
   • (1) "Stadium" means the baseball stadium where the game is held, and "Stadium Manager" means the entity that manages and operates the stadium.
   • (2) "Game" means the annual league championship games of professional baseball, unofficial games, games by players under control other than participating players, and other games.
   • (3) "Game watching contract" means the contract relating to entering the stadium on the date and time and at the place stated on the admission ticket and watching the game in the seat or place designated by the admission ticket.
   • (4) "Admission ticket" means a certificate issued by the Host Organization, or a person entrusted by the Host Organization, for the purpose of entering the stadium and watching the game.
   • (5) "Regular admission ticket" means an admission ticket that a person wishing to watch a game has obtained from the Host Organization, or a person designated by the Host Organization, or has obtained from a third party without violating the provisions of Article 4, and does not include admission tickets obtained by any other means, admission tickets with the stub removed, admission tickets that have already been punched, or other admission Tickets as separately specified by the Host Organization.
   • (6) "Staff, etc., of the Host Organization" means the Host Organization's officers and regular employees, as well as contract employees, part-time workers, temporary employees, and other persons under the Host Organization's direction and supervision, and security guards, Stadium Manager's staff, and others who provide services for the Host Organization based on outsourcing contracts, consignment contracts, or other contracts.
   • (7) “Professional baseball provisions” means these Provisions and provisions concerning game watching specified by a baseball club that belongs to NPB and NPB and includes special cheering permission rules, and the rules governing the taking and delivery or transmission of photographs, video footage, etc., which are sub-regulations, as a matter of course, unless the context otherwise clearly excludes the special cheering permission rules or the rules governing the taking and delivery or transmission of photographs, video footage, etc.

1. A game watching contract is concluded based on these Provisions when a person wishing to watch a game has acquired a regular admission ticket.
2. A person possessing a regular admission ticket may enter the stadium and watch the game in the designated seat or place based on these provisions and the terms and conditions notified in advanced by the host organization, in accordance with the provisions of the regular admission ticket.
3. When entering the stadium, spectators shall present their regular admission ticket by the method prescribed by the Host Organization and undergo ticket inspection, and after entering, spectators must retain the stub of the regular admission ticket until they leave the stadium and must present it when requested to do so by the staff, etc., of the Host Organization.
4. In addition to the provisions of Article 7, details regarding admission tickets and admission shall be separately determined by the Host Organization.

The Host Organization will not sell admission tickets to any person who falls under any of the following items. If a person obtains an admission ticket by himself/herself or through a third party regardless of the reason, the Host Organization may refuse entry to that person based on Article 6.

• (1) A person who belongs to an organized crime group as defined in Article 2 of the Act on Prevention of Unjust Acts by Organized Crime Group Members (Act No. 77 of May 15, 1991) or a similar anti-social group (hereinafter referred to as "Crime Groups, etc.") (hereinafter referred to as a "Crime Group Member").
• (2) A person who has not passed five years since ceasing to be a Crime Group Member
• (3) A person who has an organizational or business relationship with Crime Groups, etc. or a Crime Group Member, or who belongs to an organization that has such a relationship
• (4) A person who provides funds or other benefits to Crime Groups, etc., or a Crime Group Member, or who has a close relationship with them that is not considered socially appropriate
• (5) A person who acquires an admission ticket for the purpose of actions in violation of Article 4
• (6) A person who has been sentenced to a fine or greater penalty in connection with an act in violation of Article 4, an act within the stadium or its controlled area, or activity related to organized cheering at a game (including those not organized by the Host Organization), and for whom five years have not passed since the date the judgment became final and binding.
• (7) A person who obtains admission tickets for himself/herself or through a third party in excess of the limit per person separately set by the Host Organization (in the case of a group, all members of the group are subject to this limit)
• (8) A person designated in Article 11 as a person to whom the Host Organization refuses to sell an admission ticket
• (9) Any other person to whom the Host Organization has determined there is a justifiable reason not to sell admission tickets

No person may resell (including resale through an online auction) or otherwise allow a third party to acquire an admission ticket without the permission of the Host Organization. However, this shall not apply to cases where admission tickets are not transferred for profit and are not conducted as a business based on a specific relationship such as a family member, friend, customer or other similar person.

1. No person may bring the following articles into the stadium without the permission of the Host Organization.
   • (1) Firearms, swords, fireworks, explosives, drugs, or any other dangerous articles
   • (2) Articles that emit a strong odor, emit sounds that interfere with the watching of a game, or are likely to interfere with the watching of a game by other spectators in other ways
   • (3) Bottles, cans, ice boxes, and similar articles
   • (4) Pets and other animals (excluding guide dogs, hearing dogs, etc.)
   • (5) Articles intended for securing an excessive number of seats
   • (6) Any other articles designated separately by the Host Organization or Stadium Manager
2. In order to ensure the effectiveness of the preceding Paragraph, the Host Organization may request, upon entry, that spectators open and present the contents of their handbags, bags, and other articles and may conduct baggage inspections.

The Host Organization may refuse entry to the stadium to any person who falls under any of the following items.

• (1) A person who does not possess a regular admission ticket or refuses to present it
• (2) A person who falls under the reasons for refusal to sell in Article 3
• (3) A person who attempts to bring in prohibited articles under Article 5, Paragraph 1, or who does not comply with the baggage inspection under Paragraph 2 of the same article
• (4) A person who violates the prohibited acts specified in Article 8, or is likely to do so
• (5) A person who is heavily intoxicated
• (6) A person who obstructs the smooth progress of the game, or is likely to do so
• (7) A person who performs acts that significantly impede the watching of the game by other spectators, or is likely to do so
• (8) Any other person whom the Host Organization has determined there is a justifiable reason to refuse entry

1. Spectators may enter the stadium from the time specified by the Host Organization, and when the game is over, they must promptly leave the stadium in accordance with the instructions of the staff, etc., of the Host Organization.
2. In addition to the provisions of the following article and Article 9, no person shall violate the precautions that the Host Organization may establish from time to time when watching a game, and shall comply with the instructions of the staff, etc., of the Host Organization.

1. No person may engage in the following acts without the permission of the Host Organization.
   • (1) Occupying seats other than those designated by the regular admission ticket, or loitering or watching the game in aisles, stairways, gateways, etc.
   • (2) Keeping non-reserved seats, standing areas, etc., that are unnecessary for one's own watching of the game
   • (3) Using flashes, lights, or other similar articles that may disturb the game
   • (4) Damaging stadium facilities and equipment
   • (5) Selling goods, advertising, distributing questionnaires or flyers, or engaging in other similar acts.
   • (6) Intimidating, coercing, using violence against, slandering, or otherwise causing trouble to other spectators, managers, coaches, players, the Host Organization and its staff, vendors, and other stadium staff
   • (7) Soliciting money, goods, or other benefits from other spectators in relation to securing seats, cheering, watching the game, etc.
   • (8) Rushing onto the field, throwing objects into the stands, concourse, field, etc., climbing or hanging on fences, dugouts, railings, handrails, nets, etc., leaning into the field, or other acts that may endanger the life, body, or property of oneself or others
   • (9) Entering the field, back screen, or other prohibited areas
   • (10) Holding feasts, parties, gambling, playing mahjong, or engaging in other acts that are not appropriate for watching a game
   • (11) Excessively shouting and making noise outside the stadium without due cause
   • (12) Violating the Stadium Manager's rules regarding stadium management or the precautions posted in the stadium or announced by other means
   • (13) Obstructing the smooth progress of the game or the watching of the game other spectator, or being likely to
   • (14) Using an admission ticket for criminal purposes
   • (15) Chasing balls, etc., or any other act that may cause damage to other spectators, regardless of the reason
   • (16) Going against the rules governing the taking and delivery or transmission of photographs, video footage, etc. or the instructions of the staff, etc., of the Host Organization.
   • (17) Jointly performing or instigating or aiding and abetting any of the acts stipulated in any of the items of this Paragraph
2. A person who has violated the provisions of the preceding Paragraph (in the case of a group, all members of the group; hereinafter the same in this Paragraph) or a person whom the staff, etc., of the Host Organization has determined to have a justifiable reason to believe has violated the provisions of the preceding Paragraph shall comply with any matters instructed by the staff, etc., of the Host Organization, including presentation of identification, presentation of a photograph of their face.

1. No person may engage in the following cheering activities when watching a game without the permission of the Host Organization.
   • (1) Cheering using trumpets, drums, bells, whistles, other musical instruments, or similar articles.
   • (2) Cheering using cheering flags, banners, or other objects that may interfere with the watching of the game by spectators
   • (3) Group cheering conducted by organizing spectators or leading the cheering of spectators
   • (4) Any other ways of cheering designated by NPB
2. In cheering at a game, all persons shall comply the precautions that the Host Organization may establish from time to time, and shall comply with the instructions of the staff, etc., of the Host Organization.
3. The criteria and procedures for permission under Paragraph 1 of this article shall be separately determined by NPB.

1. The Host Organization shall eject from the stadium any spectator who falls under any of the following items, during the game or at any other time. However, if the spectator promptly resolves the reason for ejection and the Host Organization recognizes that the inconvenience to other spectators is minor, the Host Organization may suspend the ejection.
   • (1) If the person falls under the reasons for refusal to sell specified in Article 3
   • (2) If the person has brought prohibited articles under Article 5, Paragraph 1 into the stadium
   • (3) If the person falls under the reasons for refusal of entry specified in Article 6
   • (4) If the person engages in any of the prohibited acts under Article 8
   • (5) If a person or group that has obtained permission under Article 9 deviates from the scope of the permission or acts in violation of the conditions attached to the permission.
   • (6) If a person does not comply with the instructions given by the staff, etc., of the Host Organization.
   • (7) If the Host Organization has determined that there are other reasons for ejection from the stadium similar to the preceding items
2. In cases where the Host Organization deems ejection to be appropriate, if the spectator does not leave the stadium despite being ordered to do so by the staff, etc., of the Host Organization, the Host Organization may report the matter to the police or take measures to prompt the spectator to leave to the extent deemed reasonable.

1. If a person (or, in the case of a group, the members of the group) has brought in prohibited articles under any of the items of Article 5, Paragraph 1, committed a prohibited act under any of the items of Article 8, Paragraph 1, engaged in the prohibited cheering activities under any of the items of Article 9, Paragraphs 1 and 2, or otherwise violated these professional baseball provisions, or has made a false or misleading statement in the procedures relating to these professional baseball provisions, and the Host Organization determines that the act is malicious, the Host Organization shall designate the violator (or, if the violator is committed by a group, the members of the group) as a person (or persons) to whom the Host Organization refuses to sell any admission ticket as specified in Article 3.
2. In the case of the preceding Paragraph, if the violator belongs to a cheering group, the Host Organization may, depending on the circumstances, designate the members of that group, the members of other groups belonging to the same federation as that group, and those who were members at the time of the violation, as persons to whom the Host Organization refuses to sell any admission ticket under Article 3.
3. In cases where a person who falls under Article 3, Items (1) to (7) and (9) belongs to a cheering group, the Host Organization may, depending on the circumstances, designate the members of that group, the members of other groups belonging to the same federation as that group, and those who were members of the same group or federation as the person at the time as persons to whom the Host Organization refuses to sell any admission ticket under Article 3.
4. If a person has engaged in any act that violates any of the items of Article 5, Paragraph 1, any of the items of Article 8, Paragraph 1, and any of the items of Article 9, Paragraphs 1 and 2 collectively and continuously, and the Host Organization determines that the act is malicious, the Host Organization shall designate the violator and those belonging to the group as persons to whom the Host Organization refuses to sell any admission ticket under Article 3.
5. The Host Organization may designate a person who has repeatedly violated these professional baseball provisions and has been sentenced to a suspended sentence or greater punishment and for whom five years have not passed since the date the judgment became final and binding as a person to whom the Host Organization refuses to sell any admission ticket under Article 3.
6. No person may raise any objection to any judgment made by the Host Organization under the preceding five Paragraphs.
7. A person designated as a person specified in Paragraphs 1 to 5 of this article shall comply with the instructions of by the staff, etc., of the Host Organization, including presenting an identification card or a photograph of his/her face.
8. If the Host Organization recognizes that a person designated as a person specified in Paragraphs 1 to 5 of this article has reflected on his/her actions and there is no likelihood that the person will repeat such violations in the future, the Host Organization may lift the designation after consultation with the Professional Baseball Crime Groups, etc. Exclusion Measures Conference.
9. If the Host Organization deems it necessary for the purpose of making a judgment regarding the lifting of the designation under the preceding Paragraph, the Host Organization may set a monitoring period for a particular game or games during a specific term, and make it a condition that the person's watching or cheering behavior during that period is good.

1. In cases of refusal of entry to the stadium based on Article 6 or ejection measures based on Article 10, the admission fee shall not be refunded.
2. In addition to the provisions of the preceding Paragraph, the conditions and other details for the refund of the admission fee shall be separately determined by the Host Organization. However, regardless of the reason for the refund, the admission fee for admission tickets other than regular admission tickets shall not be refunded.

1. The Host Organization and the Stadium Manager shall not be liable for the compensation of the following damage that spectators may suffer. However, this shall not apply to cases where such damage is caused by reasons attributable to the Host Organization, staff, etc., of the Host Organization or the Stadium Manager.
   • (1) Damage caused by a home run ball or foul ball, or any other damage caused by activities of game, fan service or practice
   • (2) Damage caused by other spectators including riots and disturbances
   • (3) Damage caused by the stadium facilities
   • (4) Damage caused by an act by the spectators in violation of these Provisions, any rules specified by the Host Organization or instructions of the staff, etc., of the Host Organization
   • (5) Damage caused by the refusal of entry as specified in Article 6 or measures for ejection from the stadium as specified in Article 10
   • (6) In addition to the items listed above, damage that occurs in the stadium and areas under its control on the occasion of watching a game
2. In the case of the proviso mentioned in the preceding Paragraph, the scope of any compensation of the damages that the Host Organization or Stadium Manager shall pay shall be limited to direct damages including medical treatment fees, etc., and shall not include lost profits or any other indirect damages or special damages. However, this shall not apply to damage caused by an intentional act or gross negligence of the Host Organization, staff, etc., of the Host Organization or the Stadium Manager.
3. Spectators shall constantly and carefully observe the trajectory of the balls during practice, home run balls, foul balls, balls thrown in for fan service, etc., and shall pay sufficient attention so that he/she does not suffer any damage.

Any other details regarding game watching shall be separately determined by the Host Organization.

For any disputes between spectators and the Host Organization concerning the game watching contract, depending on the amount in dispute, the District Court or Summary Court with jurisdiction over the Host Organization's head office shall have exclusive jurisdiction in the first instance.

1. These Provisions shall take effect on February 4, 2010.
2. These Provisions may be revised by the Host Organization even during the annual league championship games, and the revised Provisions shall apply to game watching contracts for any games held on or after the effective date of such revision.

If an act committed prior to these Provisions coming into force would have fallen under Paragraphs 1, 2, or 3 of Article 11, the Host Organization may designate the person concerned as a person to whom the Host Organization refuses to sell any admission ticket under Article 3 based on Paragraph 1 or 2 of Article 11.

NPB shall specify the rules concerning special cheering (hereinafter referred to as the “Rules”) based on the provisions of Article 9 of the Provisions of the Game Watching Contract (hereinafter referred to as the “Provisions”) as follows.

1. These Rules specify the standards and procedures for permission for cheering by a group that organizes spectators or leads them (hereinafter referred to as “Group Cheering”).
2. Other than the cases based on these Rules, NPB shall not permit cheering in a way specified in each item of Paragraph 1 of Article 9 of the Provisions.

1. A group that wishes to carry out Group Cheering shall submit an application form for permission designated by NPB to NPB and shall obtain the permission of NPB in advance.
2. A group that wishes to submit an application for permission specified in the preceding Paragraph shall describe the following items in the application form for permission designated by NPB, and shall submit it to NPB after its representative affixes his/her signature and seal to it.
   • (1) Group name
   • (2) Name of the representative
   • (3) Contact information of the group
   • (4) Number of members in the group (including persons who are always involved in Group Cheering; the same shall apply hereafter)
   • (5) A name list indicating the name, address and contact information of the group members
   • (6) Cheering form
   • (7) Any other matters requested by NPB
3. If a group that wishes to submit an application for permission based on this Article belongs to an associated organization, such group shall submit to NPB a document describing the name(s) of each cheering group that comprises the associated organization, the name(s) of the officers of the associated organization and any other matters requested by NPB.
4. A group that wishes to submit an application for permission based on this Article shall submit to NPB, together with the application form for permission, a document guaranteeing that none of the members of its group fall under the provisions of Article 3 of the Provisions, that it will comply with the provisions of the Provisions and these Rules, that it will not engage in simultaneous cheering for multiple club teams and that each of the members of its group shall conduct their activities with the recognition that they are cheering leaders that serve as a role model for general spectators.
5. A group that wishes to submit an application for permission based on this Article shall not make a false statement or non-statement in the application form for permission, any attachment to the application form for permission or any other related documents.
6. If there arises a change in the matters described in the application form for permission or its attachment(s) after its submission based on this Article, the group shall promptly submit such change to NPB in writing.
7. NPB may set the detailed rules of the application procedures for permission based on this Article as appropriate.

1. The name list and any other personal information obtained concerning these Rules (hereinafter referred to as “Name List, etc.”) shall be used for the purpose of judging the cause of Article 3 of the Provisions concerning the group, understanding and managing the circumstances of cheering, operating the Provisions and these Rules, and any other related matters.
2. All the information described in the Name List, etc. shall be jointly used within the scope of the purposes specified in the preceding Paragraph by NPB, leagues and club teams comprising NPB and the Stadium Manager concerning the games which these parties are related to.
3. In addition to other cases permitted in laws and regulations, NPB shall supply the Name List, etc. to security companies and others, within the scope necessary for achieving the purpose specified in Paragraph 1, such as NPB, leagues and club teams comprising NPB, Stadium Manager and any third party entrusted by NPB or the Stadium Manager.
4. In addition to the provisions of this Article, NPB shall manage the Name List, etc. according to the Rules to Protect Personal Information specified separately by NPB.

1. NPB shall, based on the application for permission specified in Article 2, permit Group Cheering to a group that, according to the judgment of NPB, it is appropriate to admit Group Cheering, based on the requirements and procedures specified by NPB, from among the groups to which none of the causes in each item of Article 5 applies.
2. Any group that submits an application for permission to NPB as specified in Article 2 shall not provide or offer to provide money or gifts or other benefits to the staff, etc. of NPB or carry out any act that may cast doubt on the fairness of the application procedures for permission, concerning such application procedures for permission.
3. Concerning a group to which any of the causes specified in Article 5 applies, taking into consideration the time such cause occurred, the contents of such cause, the situation of the members concerning such cause and any and all other circumstances, NPB may permit Group Cheering to such group if NPB judges that it is appropriate to do so.
4. If NPB judges that it is necessary to do so in order to make a judgment for Paragraphs 1 and 3, concerning a group that submits an application for permission, NPB may permit Group Cheering experimentally for a particular game only or games during a particular period only.
5. The permission specified in Paragraphs 1 and 3 shall be granted every fiscal year of league championship games by specifying a period.

If any of the causes listed in the following items applies to a group, such group cannot be granted the permission specified in Paragraph 1 of Article 4.

• (1) A group that a group member who falls under any of the items of Article 3 of the Provisions belonged to or was involved in before, or belongs to or is involved in now;
• (2) A group that a group member who has been ordered to leave the stadium in a game hosted by NPB or an organization other than NPB belonged to or was involved in before, or belongs to or is involved in now;
• (3) A group that a group member who violates any of the items of Article 8 of the Provisions or is likely to do so belonged to or was involved in before, or belongs to or is involved in now;
• (4) A group that a group member who does not comply with the conditions specified by NPB or the instructions of the staff, etc. of NPB or is likely not to do so belonged to or was involved in before, or belongs to or is involved in now;
• (5) A group that a group member who engages in cheering for multiple club teams simultaneously;
• (6) In cases where the group belongs to an associated organization, a group which belongs to an associated organization whose present or past officer, staff, operational manager or any other person in a similar position falls under any of the causes listed in each item of Article 3 of the Provisions;
• (7) In cases where the group belongs to an associated organization, a group which belongs to an associated organization whose present or past officer, staff, operational manager or any other person in a similar position violates any of the items of Article 8 of the Provisions or is likely to do so;
• (8) In cases where the group belongs to an associated organization, a group which belongs to an associated organization whose present or past officer, staff, operational manager or any other person in a similar position has been ordered to leave the stadium at a game hosted by NPB or any organization other than NPB;
• (9) In cases where the group belongs to an associated organization, a group which belongs to an associated organization whose present or past officer, staff, operational manager or any other person having a similar position does not comply with the conditions specified by NPB or instructions of the staff, etc. of NPB, or is likely not to do so.
• (10) Considering the actual circumstances of cheering, situation of the organization and any and all other circumstances of the group, a group that cannot be recognized to cheer for the game sincerely and also cannot be recognized to actively cooperate with NPB in game management.
• (11) A group which has reasonable reasons to be unrecognizable as appropriate to permit Group Cheering.

1. Concerning the permission specified in Article 4, NPB may add conditions that, according to the judgment of NPB, are appropriate at the time of granting the permission or at a later date.
2. If NPB judges that it is appropriate to do so, concerning groups that were granted the permission specified in Article 4 (hereinafter referred to as “Permitted Groups”), NPB may permit keeping seats in a certain area, and in addition, permit cheering specified in item (1), (2) or (4) of Paragraph 1 of Article 9 of the Provisions, to the extent that NPB judges it to be appropriate, to ensure that the cheering of the Permitted Groups are conducted smoothly and orderly.
3. NPB may change the conditions specified in Paragraph 1 of this Article and the contents of the permission specified in the preceding Paragraph as appropriate.

If it is found that any of the Permitted Groups is a group that falls under Article 5 or any of the Permitted Groups or their members violate the Provisions or these Rules, or if NPB judges that it is necessary to do so, NPB may revoke the permission even if it is within the permitted period or suspend the effects of such permission for a certain period of time.

1. The judgment of permission, etc. based on Articles 4, 6 and 7 is based on the sole discretion of NPB and no person shall have the right to be granted permission based on these Rules, and in addition, no person shall raise any objection to or dispute the permissibility, revocation of the permission, the contents and conditions of the permission or any and all other matters based on these Rules.
2. NPB shall not announce the reasons concerning the judgment of the permission, etc. based on Articles 4, 6 and 7.

If NPB judges that it is necessary to do so, NPB shall judge the permission, etc. based on Articles 4, 6 and 7 through consultations with the Professional Baseball Organized Crime Group Exclusion Measures Conference.

1. Permitted Groups and their members shall, under the recognition that they are cheering leaders serving as role models for general spectators, avoid any disputes with the managers, coaches, players, staff, etc. of the Host Organization, shops and any other stadium-related persons, any other cheering groups and spectators, actively cooperate in the smooth progress of the game and the safe and peaceful watching of the game by other spectators and exert their utmost efforts to cheer in a manner so that they can obtain the understanding of spectators who do not belong to such groups.
2. Permitted Groups and their members shall not provide or offer to provide the staff, etc. of NPB with money or gifts or any other benefits, or conduct acts that may cast doubt on the fair operation of these Rules.
3. Permitted Groups and their members shall not abuse the permission based on these Rules nor shall they carry out any acts that may raise suspicion of abuse.
4. Permitted Groups shall have their members comply with the Provisions, these Rules and the conditions applicable to the permission based on these Rules.

1. At the request of NPB, any of the Permitted Groups shall report matters concerning their cheering methods and manners, the status of participation by its members in cheering and other matters, consult with NPB about cheering methods, etc. and actively cooperate with NPB to achieve the purposes of the Provisions and these Rules.
2. If a Permitted Group recognizes that its members fall under the cause specified in Article 3 of the Provisions or its members violated Article 8 of the Provisions, such Permitted Group shall promptly report such fact to NPB in writing.
3. In addition to the preceding two Paragraphs, the Permitted Groups shall report on any matters requested by NPB in a form designated by NPB.

1. These Rules shall be an integral part of the Provisions.
2. The terms defined by the Provisions shall have the same meaning in these Rules unless the context clearly requires otherwise.

Pursuant to Article 1 of the Provisions of the Game Watching Contract (hereinafter referred to as the “Provisions”), NPB herein sets forth below the rules that govern the taking and delivery or transmission of photographs, video footage, etc. (hereinafter referred to as the “Rules”).

1. In order to strive for the popularization and development of professional baseball and the improvement of the value of stadium watching while also properly protecting the rights and legal interests possessed by the Host Organization, these Rules set forth terms pertaining to the appropriate taking of photographs, video footage, etc. during game watching and methods of delivery and transmission of photographs, video footage, etc.

1. In these Rules, the meanings of the following terms are as set forth in the Provisions and the items therein, unless it is particularly clear through context that they possess a different meaning.
   • (1) “Photographs, video footage, etc.” mean photographs, video footage, images, audio recordings, and game data as set forth in item 6 of this Article.
   • (2) “During the game” means the period of time from the commencement of official practice before the game to the end of the leading player interviews after the game. Also, “ball in play” means the period of time from the umpire-in-chief calling “Play” according to the Official Baseball Rules until the ball becomes dead under the rules, or the umpire calls “Time” to suspend the game.
   • (3) “Player” refers to all fielders, batters, and runners, including pitchers and catchers.
   • (4) “Photography equipment” means all equipment possessing the ability to visually record, audio record, or acquire data pertaining to photographs, video footage, etc., and is not limited to a specific type of equipment, such as single lens reflex camera, mobile telephone, smartphone, tablet, or computer.
   • (5) “Delivery or transmission” means the act of displaying, sending, sharing, etc., photographs, video footage, etc. on blogs and social media, video footage posting / sharing services, electronic forums, fan websites, etc., to an unspecified number of people through an internet connection, or the act of transmission of such using the internet, mobile telephones, etc. Furthermore, delivery or transmission is not limited to acts committed inside the stadium.
   • (6) “Game data” means information concerning the pitching course, type of pitch, and pitching speed for individual pitches by the pitcher, information concerning results for individual swings by the batter, and information concerning batting results and scores for individual batters.

1. No person may take photographs, video footage, etc., record sound, or collect data inside the stadium during the game in the following methods or formats.
   • (1) Being in the field, around the centerfield screen, or in any other area that the Host Organization has made off limits to spectators
   • (2) Using large scale equipment such as a tripod, or a computer
   • (3) Actions that obstruct watching, such as holding up photography equipment in the stands
   • (4) Setting up photography equipment in the stadium facilities
   • (5) Lingering at or near passageways, stairs, entrances and exits, or evacuation shelters
   • (6) Actions that obstruct the progress of the game, such as using flashes
2. No person may take photographs, video footage, etc., record sound, or collect data in the following methods or formats, both during the game and at any other time, either within the stadium or in the grounds of the stadium manager.
   • (1) Actions that bother managers, coaches, players, other spectators, and the staff of the Host Organization
   • (2) Recording that enlarges or highlights a part of the body or recording anything that can identify an individual such as an ID, etc. concerning managers, coaches, players, staff of the Host Organization, etc., cheerleaders, vendors, and other individuals involved with the stadium, or members of cheering groups who have received permission for special cheering, or other spectators
3. No person may deliver or transmit the following photographs, video footage, etc.
   • (1) Video footage, audio recordings, images, or game data acquired through the actions prohibited in the previous two paragraphs
   • (2) Photographs, video footage, etc. recording players while the ball is in play
   • (3) Video footage recording anything other than players while the ball is in play, and exceeding 140 seconds
   • (4) Anything delivered or transmitted during the game (including the delivery or transmission of live video footage, live audio recordings, and real time game data)
   • (5) Anything obviously intended for profit
4. The above three paragraphs do not apply in the following cases.
   • (1) When permitted by the Host Organization
   • (2) When the delivery or transmission is to a family member, friend, client, or any other similar specific individual, is not performed as business, and can be deemed as not infringing upon the rights or legal benefits possessed by the Host Organization