Welcome to Ohtani Basketball.
The Berkeley Ohtani Basketball program exists thanks to the sponsorship and generous support of the Berkeley Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple. The program is a church-sponsored community activity for youth and families. We make every effort to support the youth and teach the values of the organization, which are the importance of family, education, and good moral character. The organization provides a place for players to develop individual skills, as well as promoting good sportsmanship, teamwork, and fair play.

Values
Ohtani Basketball promotes sportsmanship, teamwork, and an appreciation of each individuals’ special contribution to the team. Every child is encouraged to do their best and to help their teammates do their best. Ohtani Basketball families are encouraged to support their children as they work to improve their basketball skills, and respect and appreciate the strengths and weaknesses of their teammates and the teams they play against.

Activities
Ohtani Basketball families form a community whose origins and identity are closely linked to the Berkeley Higashi Honganji Temple. Ohtani Basketball activities provide opportunities for Temple and Basketball families to work on the common goal of supporting the Temple and the Ohtani Basketball program. To keep registration fees reasonable, and to provide opportunities for Temple and Basketball families to interact and support each other, participation is required in our major fundraisers: Mochitsuki (December), the Annual Ohtani Jamboree (February), and the Ohtani Summer Bazaar (July).

Registration

2026-2027 SEASON

NEW Prospective Ohtani Players
Status: OPEN - New Player Interest Form
Registration Timeframe: August 1st - August 15th, 2026
We are now reviewing remaining open spots for new families. Any interested prospective families fill out the New Player Interest Form above. New player registration will be open until Saturday, August 15th. Filling out the form does not guarantee a spot.

Kindly note that as a small recreational organization, we typically field one team per grade and have very limited spots due to low turnover.

RETURNING Ohtani 2025-2026 Ohtani Player Priority Registration
Status: CLOSED
Registration Timeframe: July 1st - July 25th, 2026

Priority registration is now closed for players who played with Ohtani in the 2025-2026 season.

Age Groups
B-boys (grade 10-12)
C-boys & C-girls (grade 7-9)
D-boys & D-girls (grade 4-6)
E-boys & E-girls (grade K-4)

Season Expectations and Details
We are hoping to form teams by August, with practices starting in September.

Practices are generally held on Friday nights at gyms in Berkeley and Oakland.

League games run December through February on Saturday evenings and/or Sunday afternoons throughout the East Bay (e.g., Walnut Creek, San Leandro, Concord, Union City, with some girls games possibly in San Francisco). Additionally, many teams will have post season tournaments through March.

EE division for kindergarteners is instructional and does not include league games; however, they may enter tournaments.

As a recreational basketball organization, Ohtani recommends all coaches to provide minimum playing time for every player in every game.

NOTE: Your registration is not complete until you submit a $350 volunteer deposit.
Your deposit will be released if you complete all volunteer requirements for the season.

Additional Questions?

Please contact us or email ohtaniregistrar@gmail.com.

Volunteering with Ohtani Basketball

As a fully volunteer-run organization, Ohtani Basketball relies on all families to keep this community going strong. Thank you for all you do!

Each season, families submit one volunteer deposit per household. That deposit is released if all volunteer requirements are met.

There are four volunteer requirements tied to the deposit. This section will be updated with volunteer sign-up links as they become available.

1) Family Job

Each Ohtani family is required to fulfill one family job per season. There are a wide range of family jobs from coaching to planning the annual Jamboree. Families with only an EE (kindergarten) player are exempt from the family job requirement.

Please note, fulfilling a Jamboree-related family job (e.g. concessions planning, raffle organizing, registration & administration) does not exempt you from the required volunteer shifts at the Jamboree (see below).

2) MOCHITSUKI: December 13, 2026

• One adult per family is required to do a 3-hour shift.

• Families with ONLY an EE (kindergarten) player do not need to volunteer for this event.

3) OHTANI JAMBOREE: February 28, 2027

• Every Ohtani parent/caregiver is required to volunteer for two hours.

• C- and B-team players are each required to volunteer for two hours.

4) Summer BAZAAR: July 25, 2027:

• Two people per family are each required to volunteer for a three-hour shift.

• Shifts are typically available Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

NOTE: if you do not meet your volunteer requirements for the season, your full deposit will be cashed. While we would certainly put those funds to good use, we would much rather have your time, energy, and engagement in the Ohtani community.

Volunteer Tracker

[coming soon]

Questions?

Please email ohtani.volunteer@gmail.com.

Health and Safety

Please note THE FOLLOWING Gym PROTOCOLS:

• Only basketball shoes with non-marking soles are allowed on the courts.

• Parents are allowed in the gym and are welcome to stay during practices.

• Parents should pick up their players inside the gym. Players must stay with the coaching staff until they have been released to a parent/guardian.

• Please no food in the gym.

• Ohtani follows CPDH and local-health departments’ guidelines. Ohtani games occur in Alameda and Contra Costa counties.