Also known as: Ce League

Founded in 1948, it is one of Japan's two major baseball leagues (the other being the Pacific League). The winner of the league pennant plays the winner of the other league in the Japan Series. The league is comprised of six teams:

- Chuunichi Dragons (Nagoya)
- Hanshin Tigers (Nishinomiya)
- Hiroshima Touyou Carp (Hiroshima)
- Tokyo Yakult Swallows (Tokyo)
- Yokohama BayStars (Yokohama)
- Yomiuri Giants (Tokyo)