[Nippon-Ham] SV League players to appear at All-Star Game PR in January next year; Kunihiro Shimizu, who retired in May, first baseman pitch: "My old habits came out" | Pacific League

[Nippon-Ham] SV League players to appear in promotion for next January's All-Star Game; Kunihiro Shimizu, who retired in May, first baseman pitch: "My old habits came out."

Sports Hochi

June 21, 2026 13:08

Kunihiro Shimizu, the volleyball player who threw first baseman pitch (Photo by Shohei Uemura)

◆パ・リーグ　日本ハム―ソフトバンク（２１日・エスコンフィールド）

Ahead of the "SV.LEAGUE ALL STAR GAMES 2026-27" volleyball tournament to be held at ES CON FIELD on January 30, 2027, players Kunihiro Shimizu, Rui Nonaka, Kohei Tonosaki, and Kota Yamada, who retired from active play in the SV League in May, made an appearance. Mr. Shimizu threw first baseman pitch.

Stepping onto mound, he threw a one-bounce pitch with a confident form. "I tend to try to hit the ball downwards, so that habit came out," he said with a wry smile, but he was met with loud applause from the stands. Videos were shown on the large screen, promoting the All-Star game, which was being held in ball park for the first time.