The age of the pamphlet I thought was a misprint was correct
On May 20th, a match of the Venus League was held at a public baseball stadium in Fuchu City, Tokyo, which has been certified as a women’s baseball town. The Venus League is divided into 3 categories, “U-15”, “High School”, and “University/Corporate/Club” with the aim of popularizing and developing women’s hardball baseball. Lipovitan Cup” is a league match in 2023 with a total of 11 teams, including the women’s baseball team of the Giants Seibu, universities, corporate teams, and club teams.
[PR]Video commentary by professionals in each field Baseball training technology improvement program “TURNING POINT”
The second match following the Giants-Seibu match. The writer was fascinated by the uniform number “21” of the club team “Samurai” who climbed the starting mound against “Gold’s Gym”. Glasses with white celluloid frames. Silver hair. 162 cm, 59 kg and muscular. Because everything was different. Moreover, the pitch from his left arm fluttered in the air as if it had eaten a person, making the opponent batter’s mercy.
It’s time for foreign players to join independent leagues. There is also the possibility of Nisei players like outfielder Lars Nutvar (Cardinals), who won the hearts of Japanese fans at the World Baseball Classic (WBC), but I could not confirm it from the press room.
Checking the pamphlet member list and uniform number, it is described as “57 years old” mixed with teenagers and 20s. Could be a typo. However, when I checked after the game, I learned that the age of pitcher Nanae Chiba was correct.
“I was a Taiyo fan, and a big fan of Hiramatsu, Matsubara, and Shipin.”
“I have strong astigmatism and can’t see the catcher’s sign very well. When I went to an optician, I happened to find a white frame and tried it on. I thought it would be nice to be flashy. My hitting has also improved.”
Mr. Chiba, who turned 58 years old this July, is a veteran left arm known to those in the know in the women’s hardball baseball world. She is currently the oldest female pitcher to continue playing active duty. She said, “She was originally a fan of Taiyo (currently DeNA) and was a fan of Masaji Hiramatsu, Makoto Matsubara, and John Shipin.” Kazutomo Miyamoto, the manager of the women’s giants team, also passed by and casually said, “Thank you for your hard work!”
There are 23 members of the women’s baseball club team “Samurai”. The members consist of a 14-year-old junior high school girl, a 17-year-old high school girl, 18 in their 20s, 2 in their 30s, and a 58-year-old Chiba.
Players who have just graduated from high school are joining the giants and Seibu of the opponent team one after another. Of course, when you play with someone your daughter’s age, there can be a generation gap. “Sometimes I don’t understand the language I use (bitter smile). I’m a ‘minority’ in terms of age (laughs), so I’m trying to match them.”
However, 17-year-old high school student Mio Kusaki says: “Mr. Chiba is the same age as my father. Since it was my first time playing hardball, he taught me things like, ‘The meeting point between a hardball and a metal bat is just a little bit closer.’ It’s a big senior in life who will help you.”
The captain, Natsuki Hiruta, said: “I take the mound when it’s the right place, and let him hit by making full use of speed and speed. Hiruta is a 23-year-old third baseman. He is a talented person who was a member of the Japanese national team during the U-18 era. “The fact that he continues to play baseball in his 50s is amazing physically. Whether it’s a game he’s not scheduled to pitch in or a game held at a distant ballpark, he always takes the train to come to the stadium. Masu”.
League games are held on weekends, mainly in Saitama, but also in Tochigi, Gunma, and Fukushima. Mr. Chiba stays alone at a business hotel before a distant match. Occupation is a personal trainer at a sports club. In fact, last year, he overcame the serious illness he suffered from and is reviving. She continues to play women’s hardball baseball with the aim of becoming a “lifelong active player.”
(Hiroya Ishikawa)
2023-08-12 23:04:33
#58yearold #active #left #arm #woman #throwing
