Photo By Sponichi
The award ceremony for the 2024 Amateur Baseball Awards (sponsored by the Japan Baseball Federation, co-sponsored by Sports Nippon Shimbun, Mainichi Shimbun, supported by Citizen Watch and Next Base) was held on the 12th at the KKR Hotel Tokyo in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo. Ta. The best nine were selected from Toyota Motor Corporation, which won its seventh championship for the first time in two years at this fall’s Japan Championship, with three players tied for the most, with outfielder Ryosuke Aizawa (28), the captain, winning the award for the first time.
I also received a new medal. Aizawa won the Best Nine for the first time in 6 years after joining the company. The No. 4 batter, who is also one of the best outfield defenders in adult baseball, had a proud expression on his face from the stage.
“Since I joined the company, reaching the top nine has been one of my goals, so I’m very happy.”
He was appointed captain after this summer’s intercity tournament, in which he was eliminated in the second round. Kotoshi Satake, who was known as “Mr. Amateur Baseball”, retired from active duty after the tournament. With the team reaching a major turning point, in the final of the Japan Championship against Honda, he hit the lead with three runs in the first inning, leading to his seventh victory and first in two tournaments. In addition to 6 RBIs in all 5 games, he also won the season’s most RBI award for the first time with 21 RBIs. Still, he did not forget to reflect, saying, “I’m happy, but I got 0 points against the city.” Aizawa puts effort into his words.
“We are doing this to win the city competition.The young players showed great performance in this championship, and I think it has given us a lot of confidence.We will keep this momentum going and take on various challenges, and we will build a strong Toyota for 10 years. I will do my best to pass it on.”
Not content with a fulfilling year, he turned his attention to next season. In recent years, the team has set a goal of winning three consecutive city championships, and this fall’s Championship V is still just a passing step. It will continue to evolve until the day it is called prestigious.
◇Ryosuke Aizawa Born September 26, 1996 (Heisei 8), 28 years old from Okayama Prefecture. Started playing softball with the Minamiki Sports Boys Club in the first grade of Minamiki Elementary School. At Fukunan Junior High School, he played in the Young League’s “All Okayama” team. In Kansai (Okayama), he has been on the bench since the spring of his first year. Participated in Koshien in the spring of 2nd year and summer of 3rd year. At Meiji University, he participated in league games from the spring of his first year, and was a top nine outfielder in the spring of his second year and fall of his third year. Won the top batting title at the 2019 JABA Nagano Tournament. 1 meter 75, 81 kg. Left-handed pitcher, left-handed hitter.
▼Toyota Motor Corporation/Sato: We are very honored to receive this award for the second time. Next year, we will aim to win the city competition and Japan championship.
▼ Toyota Motor Corporation Wada received this award thanks to the support of those around him. I want to continue achieving results next year and beyond without forgetting my gratitude.
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