Orix Buffaloes May Izumoto (53), a favorite multi-talented actress, will throw out the first pitch at the Farm League's Hanshin Tigers game (Kyocera D) on April 24. This will be her fifth consecutive year and her second consecutive appearance at Kyocera D, the home of the first team. He wrote a column in Sports Hochi titled "Ori ni Seiken Kakemei," in which he declared that he would go back to his roots fastball and compete for the championship.

Happy New Year to all Sports Hochi readers and Orix Buffaloes fans! My apologies for the late greeting, but this is the first "May's Lifelong Devotion to Orix" of 2026. I have an announcement to make. May Izumoto will be throwing out the first pitch on March 24th. This will be my fifth time doing so in five consecutive years at the farm team games. I'm becoming a regular, just like Osaka Toin (laughs).

I owe this invaluable opportunity to Orix Buffaloes organization and my pitch mentor, Kenichi Marumo (former player, now a team employee). Last year was my first time at Kyocera Dome. I wore the glove given to me by Yoshihisa Hirano and threw strike using fork he taught me. Don't ask me if fork was actually dropping or not...

The WBC recently concluded. Unfortunately, Japan lost in the quarterfinals, but pitcher Miyagi and pitcher, and catcher Wakatsuki, thank you for the excitement you provided. pitcher Higashimatsu also seems to have had a valuable experience as a support member. His appeal lies in his fastball. I had the opportunity to see him practice pitch at the autumn camp two years ago, and I was struck by the force of his pitches, which seemed to send the mitt flying.

Actually, I succeeded in throwing a no bounce pitch the year before last and last year (who cares?!). This time it's the Kansai Derby against Hanshin Tigers. pitcher Higashimatsu also showed me the secret to throwing a strong ball, striking a pose like drawing a bow. The outside fastball is said to be the origin of pitcher. I already have an image of it in my mind. (May Izumoto)

◆Mei Izumoto Born May 31, 1972, in Sakai City, Osaka. Age 53. She is mainly active as a personality on local Kansai television and radio, and also appears in dramas and movies as an actress. She is also an avid Orix Buffaloes fan, and in "Frank Club A" (cable television Baycom), in which she appears, she has featured many segments related to Orix Buffaloes. Her stage name "Mei" comes from the fact that she was born in May.