May 19, 2022 6:00
Yoshihiro Saruhashi (60), who retired from Matsushima Naka teacher in March, was appointed as the director of the hardball baseball club of Sendai Ikuei High School, a high school baseball champion. Mr. Saruhashi, who has led the prefecture’s junior high school baseball world by leading him to the national tournament four times. This time, in the high school baseball world, he teamed up with coach Sue Ko (39) to aim for the first Koshien victory in the Tohoku region.
Self-taught pursuit of teaching methods
“What are you?” At the Sendai Ikuei High School Baseball Club Ground in Tagajo City, there was a figure of Mr. Saruhashi calling out to the players in late April. “First of all, remember the names and faces of the children, rather than teaching,” he says.
Practice is basically watched behind. A walk on the ground in the early morning is a daily routine, and the members are greeted. “It’s not interesting unless you’re close to the members, but it’s hard to remember because you’re wearing a mask,” he laughs.
He served as an English teacher in junior high school for 36 years and taught softball baseball at three schools: Shichigahama, Shirakashidai, and Matsushima. Although he is an inexperienced baseball player, Mr. Saruhashi self-taught and pursued teaching methods. In 2005, he won second place in the national junior high school baseball tournament where he first appeared as Shirakashidai, and from 2002 to 2011 he was the director of the prefecture selection.
In December of last year, Director Sue directly asked Mr. Saruhashi to take office as director. Since 2006, when Director Sue became the director of the baseball club in Shukochu (Sendai City), he has deepened friendships with the leaders of junior high school softball baseball.
The exchange continued even after Director Sue led Sendai Ikuei High School in 2018. Director Sue, who has aimed for Mr. Saruhashi, who has a wealth of experience and achievements, says, “I wanted to help achieve the goal of being the best in Japan.”
Mr. Saruhashi, who was requested to provide technical guidance and instructor education to the students, agreed, “I thought that by the time I died, I had to open the door to a new history for young people.”
After Sue took office, Sendai Ikuei High School has participated in the Koshien Tournament three times in total in the spring and summer. In the spring of 19 and the spring of 2009, he entered the top eight, but missed out last summer and this spring.
“This year will be a very important year,” said Sue. Mr. Saruhashi is passionate about his guidance, saying, “It is my job to do what is required. I want Professor Sue to build a new era.”
