This was the moment when the ideal baseball envisioned by manager Hiroshi Takahashi would be given its first real test. In the 8th inning, Takumi Minemoto (Osaka Toin), batting second, laid down a careful bunt, followed by Takeru Asato (Okinawa Shogaku) whacking a fierce grounder up the center to even the score. Everything moved right along the lines of the 'Japanese high school-style baseball' strategy, that is, 'small baseball that focuses on defense and holding out in tight games.'
Five days until the start of the 18U Asian Baseball Championships on September 1st. The Japanese team faces its second day of training camp in Japan. On this day, the team played its first practice game, held near Mt. Ikoma at the Kinki University grounds, against Kindai University. The sky was overcast in the moments leading up to the game, but partway in, the sun showed its face and provided weather similar to what might be expected from Thailand's capital, Bangkok, during the real game.
The pitcher manager Takahashi chose to take the mound first was the champion pitcher from last year's Koshien, Mitsunari Takahashi (Maebashi Ikuei). Perhaps due to being away from serious competition since the summer tournament, he was not in his best form, often losing control of the ball, despite his steady right arm often utilized as the standard starting pitcher.
Accordingly, opponents Kinki University tried for stolen bases and used hit-and-run tactics frequently, such that Takahashi was pulled from the game 2 outs into the 3rd inning, having given up 3 runs on 5 hits, with 3 walks and 4 strike outs. With slumped shoulders, he said, 'I was getting good speed, but my control was all over the place…' before lifting his chin and promising to regain control. 'I'll pitch more to adjust.' Manager Takahashi didn't seem worried, stating that 'we were expecting to give up 3 runs originally, so just as planned. To get him used to it, I'll have him pitch again before the tournament.'
Afterwards, 1st relief pitcher Kazuya Kojima (Urawa Gakuin) closed the game with even pitching. Even though it was his first real game in some time, he said 'it was way fun', with a smile on his face. Also, there were a lot of infield grounders in the game, but the infield racked up outs without any mistakes.
As for offense, in the first inning with 1 on and 2 out, cleanup hitter Kazuma Okamoto (Chiben Academy) sailed a gorgeous hit rarely seen with a wooden bat over the left fielder's head for a double and 2 runs batted in. In the 8th inning, the 'Japan high school baseball' style of attack worked its wonders, immediately raising the spirits of everyone on the bench.
Batting 7th, Ryoya Kurihara (Harue Technical High School) made a major contribution to the 6-3 win in the 8th inning with bases loaded by driving the ball deep in the right field corner, bringing home all the runners. Named captain yesterday, Kurihara had this to say, 'In the first half, I gave up a lot of stolen bases, putting the team in a bad spot, so I was really relieved when I made that hit. I'm going ride the feeling.' He appeared to feel at ease.
Finally after crawling back from a deficit yielded early in the game, Takahashi's ideal baseball gave them the lead late. At this, the conductor said, 'Today is the first game, so I wasn't exactly planning on executing small baseball, but give him the chance (to bunt) and he'll deliver. He's got a lot of individual talent,' with a pleased look on his face. Opposition manager Hidemasa Tanaka of Kinki University also had a good first match, confirming that 'with these members, a championship is possible.'
Samurai Japan U18 gets a win in their first game. The youngsters showed to each other and to the world that they are looking to go big in the tournament.
10th BFA 18U Asian Championships 18U Players
10th BFA 18U Asian Championships
