A talk show and rock-paper-scissors tournament held for the first time at the Amateur Baseball Award Ceremony Amateur Baseball NOW vol.51
The Japan Baseball Federation’s 2024 Amateur Baseball Awards (co-sponsored by Mainichi Shimbun, Sports Nippon Shimbun, Citizen Watch, and Next Base) was held in Tokyo to honor the players who have enlivened this year’s adult baseball. . This year, for the first time, a “fan meeting” was held for JABA fan club members prior to the award ceremony. Approximately 20 fans were selected by lottery and enjoyed spending time with the players.
=Murakami (right) and Shimoyama signing the ball handed to them by a fan
Five players participated and interacted with about 20 fans.
Among the 12 players who will be honored at the awards ceremony, Daiki Honma (Mitsubishi Heavy Industries East), who is the best nine (pitcher) and has the highest ERA twice, and Kosuke Aizawa, who is the best nine (outfielder) and has the most RBIs. (Toyota Motors), 2nd year in a row Five people participated in the fan meeting: Keimasa Amiya (Yamaha), who won the Best Nine (outfielder) award, Yusuke Shimoyama (Toshiba), who won the Best Nine (designated hitter), and Yuichiro Murakami (ENEOS), who hit the most home runs. .
As Christmas songs played, the players entered the stadium high-fiving fans. Both players and fans seemed a little stiff at first, but with the lead of host Ami Hamura, the tension gradually eased and the event progressed in a relaxed atmosphere.
＝fan meetingFive players answer questions from fans on the talk show
What is your favorite support? What’s the secret to hitting lots of home runs? Questions flying around
On the talk show, the players responded to questions asked by fans in a show-of-the-hand style. When Murakami was asked a question his child had entrusted to him, “How can I hit as many home runs as I can?”, Murakami answered, “I’m always aiming for home runs, even when I’m practicing.”In addition, when asked about the coaches and rivals who helped him grow, Homma named Kojiro Machida, the manager from his time at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in Hiroshima, and Aizawa named his mentor from college, former coach Tatsuya Yoshiba. I mentioned it. As is typical of adult baseball, there was also a question about “cheering,” and Shimoyama answered, “Of course I love Toshiba’s chance theme, but Mitsubishi Heavy Industries East’s chance theme has a melody that gives an intimidating feeling to the opponent. “When I was asked to join as a reinforcement player, I thought it was really cool.”
= Aizawa smiling at the rock-paper-scissors tournament
At the event, there was a rock-paper-scissors competition with players’ personal gloves and other “Christmas presents” at stake, as well as an autograph session, and at the end, Homma gave a speech, saying, “I will continue to work hard to become a beloved player.” Amiya also said, “I realized that there are a lot of fans of Aizawa-san.When you come to the stadium, I will serve you, so please come and say hi.”
= Player Shimoyama playing rock, paper, scissors with fans
“I was able to get a feel for the players’ personalities.”Fans are happy with the interaction
A fan who came to the venue said, “I was happy to be able to take photos with them and get to know the players up close.Hearing their words of gratitude towards the team made me realize that adult baseball players have great hearts.” “The players looked me in the eye and answered my questions seriously during the talk show, and I was able to get a better feel for their personalities. I’ve become even more of a fan.” Shimoyama, who participated, said with a smile, “I was nervous because it was a rare opportunity.I was able to feel more than ever how enthusiastically people were supporting me.”[Mainichi Shimbun Baseball Committee, Yuka Nakamura]