Hana Maui’s “new idea” that balances sports and long-term care and breathes new life into the amateur baseball world (1/3) | AERA dot.

Hana Maui Baseball Club (Tomisato City, Chiba Prefecture).

A non-corporate club team participated in last year’s Intercity Baseball Tournament (November 22nd to December 3rd). This feat had a great impact on the amateur ball world. It is the amount of heat generated by the people involved that supports Hana Maui’s breakthrough, which can be said to be an emerging team in May 19th.

“It’s a miracle to participate in the main race. I thought this year was still a time of consolidation. I was lucky enough to participate because of various things.”

Hana Maui is directed by Atsuhiro Motonishi. Many of you may remember that he was active as a defensive outfielder at NPB Orix when he was active. During his time as a member of society, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Nagasaki, he has participated in the city competition three times, including reinforcement players.

“It’s strange that the players don’t get stiff on the big stage. But in the second half I was able to get a little bit of my shape. I did well this time, but I want to keep the results from the next time. It’s fine because the foundation is being built a little earlier than planned. Create a team that can win by starting things like that. “

November 26, Tokyo Dome. Hana Maui lost 0-1 to Shikoku Bank (Kochi City), a regular who participated in the tournament 19 times. It wasn’t his first appearance and his first victory, but he only scored a home run. At the end of the game, the attackers also got excited and took one step further. The players have also gained a lot of experience, and it seems that they are definitely feeling the response.

Although it is in the form of a club team, “Hana Maui Co., Ltd. (initially Koto Careful Co., Ltd.)”, which operates a day service company, is the parent company. Currently, he owns a women’s hardball team as well as boys (Motonishi also serves as a women’s assistant director). Athletes vary from those who work in long-term care facilities as employees of the company to those who work part-time. It has a team-only stadium and is in an environment where you can practice regularly.

“Anyway, a hot person. He has a tremendous passion for baseball and loves the team more than anyone else.”

Director Motonishi says so, Mr. Kenji Mori, the owner and female director. Mori, the CEO of “Hana Maui Co., Ltd.”, decided to establish a baseball club with high thoughts. He started with the Young League’s Akito Hardball Baseball Club (currently closed) in 2007, and started a team with the women’s club in 2017 and the men’s club in 2019.