Orix Buffaloes to throw out the first pitch at their June 12th game against Hanshin Tigers, featuring Hiroto Fukumori, an alumnus of Osaka Toin High School's baseball team who is battling a rare form of cancer | Pacific League

Orix Buffaloes to have Osaka Toin High School baseball alumnus Hiroto Fukumori, who is battling a rare form of cancer, throw out the ceremonial first pitch at their game Hanshin Tigers on June 12th.

Baseball King

June 5, 2026 02:07

Kyocera Dome Osaka, the home stadium of Orix Buffaloes (Photo = Getty Images)

On the 5th, Orix Buffaloes announced that their game against Hanshin Tigers on June 12th will be held as "Sense Owners Day," with Sense Trust Co., Ltd. serving as the game sponsor.

For the opening pitch ceremony that day, Hiroto Fukumori, an alumnus of Osaka Toin High School's baseball team who is battling a rare form of cancer, is scheduled to take the mound for the second consecutive year. Having undergone his fourth surgery in March of this year and still undergoing treatment, Fukumori will throw the ball with the hope of "becoming a source of hope for those suffering from the same disease."

Furthermore, a ceremonial pitch will be thrown by Yasuhito Imanaka, President and CEO of Sense Trust Co., Ltd., and Yoshio Itoi, the company's ambassador. In addition, there will be a raffle with prizes such as jersey, and original fans will be distributed at each entrance gate.