From Soccer Ambitions to High School Baseball in Akita
Originally from Akita City, Itoya spent his early childhood as a soccer player inspired by French international Antoine Griezmann. His athletic focus shifted during the fifth grade of elementary school when a baseball-playing peer moved into his neighborhood and he attended a baseball game alongside his sister, who participated in her junior high school’s brass band. Drawn by the stadium atmosphere and peer competition, Itoya began playing baseball later than many of his peers, resulting in limited playing time through his middle school years.
For high school, Itoya enrolled at Akita South High School, located near his home and recognized for reaching the prefectural tournament final during his ninth-grade year. Competing for a spot on a crowded roster, he earned playing time by his third year, experiencing the pressure of team representation and the victory of competitive play. His high school career concluded with a semifinal loss in the summer tournament, missing a berth at the Koshien national championship.
Ronin Study Routines and Transition to University Hardball
Following his graduation-year summer retirement, Itoya undertook a period of ronin (unemployed entrance exam study) as a home-based student after falling short of direct university admission. To manage his preparation, he instituted a daily journaling habit requiring him to write down why specific study methods would lead to passing scores.
During his exam preparation, Itoya maintained a thirty-minute daily training routine involving bat swings and shadow pitching outside his home. Applying his journaling framework to baseball training—researching drills and mechanical adjustments—he reported marked athletic progress.
Itoya Aims to Resolve Pitching Control Difficulties
Entering the university baseball club, Itoya established a primary objective of resolving lingering challenges from his high school career and playing baseball to his satisfaction. Specifically, he aimed to succeed as a pitcher after experiencing control difficulties stemming from the yips and persistent elbow discomfort during high school.
Keep reading
