Nippon-Ham pitcher Hiromi Ito (28), who won the Sawamura Award, attended the retirement party for former Hokuyo University (formerly Tomakomai Komadai) manager Toshiyuki Otaki (71) held in Tomakomai City on the 29th. After leaving Komadai, he vowed to continue to do well, keeping in mind the teachings of his mentor who helped him.

For Ito, Coach Otaki is both a mentor and a benefactor. After he dropped out of Komazawa University, he was recruited by Tomakomai Komazawa University, which paved the way for him to become a professional. "If he hadn't accepted me, I might be catching octopuses right now," he said with a smile.

After re-enrolling, he was suspended for one year as required by regulations, and then won the league in the spring of 2018. He also won the All-Japan University Championship. When asked about his fondest memory of Coach Otaki, with whom he has worked together to achieve many successes, including winning again in the fall of 2020, he recalled, "Even during the time I couldn't play, he cared about me as if I was a valuable player. I'm grateful that he kept me motivated by saying things like, 'Don't give up.'"

The Hokuyo University baseball team, which changed its name from Tomakomai Komadai, will be suspended this fall. This marks the end of the club's history, which was founded in 1999, but the pitcher rolled up his sleeves and said, "As long as I remain in baseball world, the name of the university will not disappear. That is my goal for the future of my baseball career."

(Tomofusa Shimayama)

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