Nerima ARCS players who are knocked = All on the ground in Tokyo
Enjoyment is the first, and victory is the second. In elementary school baseball, the number of teams in this style is gradually increasing. The Nerima Arcs Junior Baseball Club, which is based in Nerima-ku, Tokyo, is one of them. Satoru Nakagiri (38), who started the team last spring, has a desire to “become a saucer for children who want to feel free to do it.” (Takahiro Contrast)
◆ Practice with a smile, without a heckler or angry voice
The 30th of last month when the deep blue sky spread. The children who are knocked keep smiling. “Nice spray” and the praise of friends fly to the good catch. Even if you miss it, there are no yajiya or angry voices. Instead, the coach will send you specific advice that will improve your play, such as “let’s speak out if you think you’ll be caught” and “sit down more”.
Practice is basically once a weekend, only for half a day. It’s okay to take a break if there are other priorities such as family trips. High-pressure guidance and punishment are prohibited. There is no customary burden on parents, such as transportation to and from the match venue, referees, and tea preparation. Not only does it have the slogan of “enjoying”, but it also strives to create an environment where it can be put into practice.
Nerima ARCS players practicing sliding
“The concept is to have fun playing baseball together like Nobita and Skipjack.” Representative Nakagiri cites popular anime.
◆ I hate baseball with the guidance of “Showa Gymnasium”
The origin is in a bitter real experience. He started playing baseball in his hometown of Kihoku, Mie Prefecture, but “it was a Showa athletic club that the club activity adviser drew in a picture.” He raised his blood to participate in the prefectural tournament, and the swearing and violence of “die” and “heavy” are commonplace. “I don’t tell you anything about that habit. I hate baseball.” He left baseball in high school. When he was 25, he joined the grass baseball team, which doesn’t blame mistakes, and chases the white ball.best thing（Great garbage）I finally squeezed.
The inauguration of Nerima ARCS was triggered by the desire of the eldest son of an elementary school student to play baseball. He couldn’t find a team that he could agree with as a parent and asked, “If so, do it yourself?” He learned from precedents such as the Buena Vista Youth Baseball Club (Kawasaki City), which had already said goodbye to the old-fashioned operation, and started in March last year.
Most coaches are certified coaches. Even if the time is short, I try to practice deeply. Some coaches have a nurse’s license, and risk management is thorough in the unlikely event. The monthly membership fee is as high as 7,300 yen, but the capacity initially set at 30 people has been filled, and as of the end of last month, 39 people. Due to the unexpected response, recruitment is currently suspended.
◆ Elementary school softball team, one-third of peak hours
According to the Japan Softball Baseball Association, the number of elementary school teams in 2021 will be 10,229. It decreased to about one-third of the statistical peak in 1980. The factors may be the declining birthrate and the decline in the popularity of baseball, but Nakagiri points out that there is a problem on the team side as well, saying, “There are still many children who are interested, but old coaching is shunned.” In fact, I received an email from a parent of a child on another team saying, “Please help me. I hate baseball as it is.”
Nerima ARCS players communicating with coaches during practice
From last month, in a league match with like-minded teamsWork hard（Sassatakuma）do. The first foreign match for Nerima ARCS. The league name is “PCG (Players Centered Games) Tokyo”. Literally, “the player is in the middle”, that is, the most important thing is to make each person shine. In addition to winning or losing, points will be added according to the number of participating players. In league games, each team can experience the game equally regardless of their performance.
Nakagiri does not deny the existence of a team that is particular about winning, but emphasizes “separation” and calls for it. “Elementary school students can just enjoy themselves.” The child is in the middle. I just hope that.
