Before the Rakuten Eagles vs. Orix Buffaloes game held in Morioka on the 2nd, comedian Takuhiro Kimura of the duo Tenshin performed the ceremonial first pitch.

▼ Takuhiro Kimura

Today was my long-awaited ceremonial pitch in a first-team game, and it felt incredibly good. Since Ambassador Okajima praised my slider during practice, I couldn't decide whether to throw a fastball or a slider until the very end, and as a result, the ball ended up being a bit half-hearted. However, although I didn't look at the speed gun, it felt like it was 146 km/h. The applause from the crowd also made me very happy. I have lived in Iwate for five years now, and I felt like I have been accepted. I think the feeling of everyone wishing for a win has also increased.