2026 Persol Climax Series Pacific League Final Stage Game 1: Softbank Hawks vs. Nippon-Ham (14th, Mizuho PayPay)

Figure skater Mei Okada of the Kinoshita Academy performed the ceremonial first pitch before the game. The 16-year-old is a native of Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture. A rising star who won the fourth event of the Junior Grand Prix series in Turkey this September, she threw the pitch to mark the opening of the final stage of the Climax Series, where teams compete for a spot in the Japan Series.

When the major role of throwing the ceremonial first pitch was decided, she expressed her enthusiasm, saying, 'I feel very honored to be given the opportunity to perform the ceremonial first pitch on such a wonderful stage. I am very nervous as this is a completely different setting from the ice where I usually practice, but I will do my absolute best to throw the pitch and help build excitement for the intense gameplay.'