◆Nippon Life Insurance Central vs. Pacific League Interleague Play 2025 Nippon-Ham 5-4 Hanshin Tigers (4th, Escon F)
Nippon-Ham Fighters infielder Hide Yamagata (23) rounded first base and raised his right fist. He broke into a smile as manager Shinjo greeted him with a cheer. In the fourth inning, with two outs and a runner on first, Yamagata hit a 144 km/h fastball from Monbetsu and it landed in the left bullpen. It was his first Home Run in his 56th at-bat as a pro, a two-run game-winning home run. It was his first home run in 11 years since his Little League days as a sixth-grader, and Yamagata commented, "It was the greatest feeling in my baseball career, like I felt the weight of the ball in my hand." With this memorable hit, the team is in the lead. In his 53rd game of the season, Yamagata became the first team to achieve 30 wins in the league for the first time in seven years.
He transformed the good news from his alma mater into strength. On this day, Waseda University defeated Meiji University and achieved their third consecutive league victory. The No. 5 draft pick rookie said, "I felt courage and emotion before the game. I'm glad I was able to hit on this milestone day." Waseda University ace Ito Tatsuki is his junior, but they are good friends and call each other by their first names. "We're like friends who treat each other to meals when we have free time. I'd like to take him to some good restaurants in the future," he said, showing his kindness in praising his right-handed pitcher, who played a key role in the team's victory by complete game nine complete innings.
Advice from Coach Shinjo also came in handy. On the 2nd, the day before the interleague game, he received a message on Instagram DM saying, "Take your timing slowly and put the point forward." "The boss is always watching how I can hit it," he said, and the excellent relationship of trust led to the memorial arch.
The manager also hinted at using him as starting line-up, saying, "He has good defense and is another interesting player. I'd like him to play short stop for a while." The 23-year-old, known for his splendid defense, will also increase his presence with the bat. (Haruki Kawakami)
◆Yamagata Shu
▽ Size & Batting: 176 cm, 80 kg. Right-handed pitcher/batter
Born May 1, 2002 in Sanjo, Niigata. 23 years old. Single.
Baseball career: Started baseball at the age of four, attended Kokubunji Second Junior High School in Tokyo, Inagi Senior High School, and the prestigious Waseda Graduate School before moving on to Waseda University. In the spring of his fourth year, he was named Best Nine at shortstop. In the Tokyo Big Six League, he played in a total of 62 games, with 54 At Bat 197 hit for a batting average of .274 and no Home Run. In 2012, he joined Nippon-Ham as the fifth pick in the draft.
Hobbies: Influenced by his older sister, he started playing the piano in his second year of elementary school, and attended classes once a week until his second year at Waseda University. His specialty is Chopin's Fantaisie-Impromptu. When he moved into the dormitory, he brought with him the sheet music for the Fighters' team song, "The Fighters Anthem." "The way you unconsciously use both your hands and feet is connected to baseball," he said.
Special skills: Attended gymnastics classes from age 6 until the sixth grade of elementary school. Gymnastics is the origin of her acrobatic play. "It helped her hone her spatial awareness."
▽Graduation thesis: "Corporate investment risk." Research on renewable energy and finance at the Faculty of Commerce
▽ Favorite player: Kei Toritani
▽ Favorite singer: "Little Glee Monster," which is also used as the entrance song
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