Ryo Ichiriki threw out the ceremonial first pitch before Rakuten Eagles-Softbank Hawks game.

Through the team, Ryo Ichiriki commented, "It was my first time standing on mound, and it was also my first time performing in front of tens of thousands of spectators at the Tohoku opening game, so I felt the energy of the entire stadium. I was very nervous, but I am honored to have been warmly welcomed by the spectators. Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles are a team that is with Sendai and Tohoku, so when we won the championship in 2013, the whole of Tohoku was truly excited. I would be happy if we could deliver that kind of excitement again."