FromJapan

Ohtani-san has only pitched twice in the National High School Baseball Championship Japan. Both times, his team lost the games in the first round of the tournament. His 2nd grade in 2011 Summer Championship 5.2 IP, 1 ER In the summer of 2011, he suffered a hip joint epiphyseal injury, which prevented him from practicing as a pitcher in the following fall and winter. During this period, he did not participate in official games as a pitcher. His 3rd grade in 2012 Spring Championship 8.2 IP, 5 ER Reference: "Sports Album No.47 Shohei Ohtani" Baseball Magazine, Inc. ISBN 978-4-583-62055-8 Published on November 11*, 2013. Printed in Japan (*, 11 was Ohtani-san's uniform number during the Nippon-Ham era.)

Pikichin: ...I decided to go to the U.S. because I wanted to see a Japanese person active in the world with my own eyes. She is intelligent and has the power to challenge her own dreams. Actually she herself is encouraged by Ohtani-san's challenge. It would be great if she could succeed in her business (in Africa?) with the end of the Covid-19 pandemic. Pikichin: Japanese baseball fans know very little about players on teams that don't have Japanese players, so thanks to Ohtani san, Trout became known to them. After that, Japanese fans who learned about Trout's success. And said, "If Trout had been here, Angels might have won..." at games where the Angels lost! Charge Free internet TV program allows to watch many Angels games in Japan, so the number of Japanese bandwagon fans who remember the names of players other than Trout has increased. Pikichin: In Japan, many of the spectators at professional baseball games are men. Many people come after work, so there are a lot of men in suits, but I didn't see any men wearing suits in the MLB. After World War II, professional baseball in Japan resumed, and subsequently due to the expansion of the number of teams, about half of the sponsor companies at that time were railway companies. They had home stadiums near their stations. They wanted fans to come to the stadium by their train, so the main fans were those who came directly to the stadium after work using their commuting pass. Pikichin: I want him to stay injury free and continue to be active in the MLB, and continue to give hope to Japan, a country that has so much dark news. She knows well that Ohtani-san has been suffered many injuries and has overcome them. She is not just a fair-weather fan. ------------------ Interview with Yuri Ohtani, Ohtani-san's grandmother: "He has been injured a lot. Now that his injuries have healed, it's really good if there are no injuries from now on. Only that is worrisome." Grandma's hope: "His elder sister got married last year. If possible, I want him to get married while I'm fine (*). I want to see the face of my great-grandchildren ... In addition, it would be perfect if he could play an active part in baseball." *, Ohtani-san's grandfather was deceased last year. Grandma reports about their grandson to her late husband every day on the family Buddhist altar, like "Shohei hit a home run today". Ohtani-san's grandma is the best reporter about him. Reference: (Japanese weekly magazine, April 29, 2021) Weekly Shincho

On August 19, Japanese baseball commentator Kazuhiro Sasaki (Mariners 2000–2003) pointed out that the take back of Ohtani's pitching form has become smaller. This modified form might give him better control and less strain on his body.

In November 2019, the rules of the Japan High School Baseball Federation, which manages high school baseball, changed. The outline is as follows: During the tournament games hosted by the Federation, the total number of pitches that one pitcher can throw in a week is 500 or less. Set a schedule to avoid three consecutive games in the same tournament. However, it is unavoidable if the schedule is changed due to rain. Instruct member high schools of the Federation to utilize the health questionnaire of the players. Consideration should be given not to over-practice, such as introducing a complete rest day of at least one day per week. Actively train multiple pitchers and work on appointing multiple pitchers at various occasions such as practice games. Allow intentional-walk. The National High School Baseball Championship in Japan is held twice in spring and summer. In 2020, the national tournament was canceled due to the Covid-19 epidemic and resumed in 2021. I mentioned a little about Ohtani-san when he was a high school student in the post on July 27th.

In 2020, when Masahiro Tanaka (Yankees, at that time) was staying in Florida after a spring camp break, a dangerous incident to him and his family occurred. Therefore, they were temporarily returning to Japan. --------- Ohtani-san was jeered on the purple carpet to All-Star Game. This case was not covered in the Japanese press due to its hindrance. "Get out sho time!" "Chino!" (shouts lasted many times) As I'm not an English native speaker, I can't hear these accurately. "Chino" is a subtle expression for some Japanese people.

It's an accurate interpretation.

"Ohtani may be throwing a gyro-rotating splitter." Source from an article (2021/04/26) by a Japanese sports columnist, Ohtani-san neither affirms nor denies this matter.

What Ohtani-san have achieved so far, what he cannot do yet, excluding the titles. Home run July 3, 2016 (NPB) Starter Ohtani hit a lead-off home run on the first pitch in the top of the 1st inning. June 13, 2019 (MLB) cycle hit There is no record both in NPB and MLB eras: walk-off home run, grand slam ---------------------- Pitching October 16, 2016 (Postseason, NPB) DH to closer He threw 102.5mph fastball. There is no record in MLB era: shutout There is no record both in NPB and MLB eras: no-no, perfect game

For fans...

Video of MUFG Bank (pitcher version, 30sec in Japanese) "A new story begins. The relationship between you and the bank will be closer. We, MUFG Bank make full use of technology to enhance everything. ... Hop Step Japan, MUFG Bank" Ohtani-san's quote: enhance ------------------ Consideration of why the Angels and Ohtani-san were selected as MUFG commercials MUFG's corporate color is red, which is the same as the Angels. Walt Disney Show (Disneyland) began broadcasting in Japan in 1958, sponsored by an affiliated company of Mitsubishi bank (predecessor of MUFG bank). At that time, many Japanese learned about the existence of Disneyland and Anaheim through TV program. MUFG Bank is the only Japanese bank to use the "Disney characters" as its image character. In 1962, a copyright agreement was signed with Disney Productions (then). Until now, Disney characters have been used for passbooks, cards, and campaign prizes. Disney characters design of MUFG bank

Will Mr. Scioscia completely retire from the baseball scene? LATimes 2021-08-07

Video of MUFG Bank (batter version, 30sec in Japanese) in which Ohtani-san appears. Looks like the Angels and Ohtani-san's Promotion Video. Narration "There is a landscape that can only be seen by challenger. What can bank do for that courage? We, MUFG Bank, will shed light on the seeds of business and push them to a big stage. ... Hop Step Japan, MUFG Bank" Ohtani-san's quote: push them

Until now (15:20 Japan time), there is no rescheduling announcement. At 18:10 Japan time, NHK (public broadcaster) announced that "the final match will be held as scheduled."

Yes. The typhoon will be closest to Yokohama on the night of the 7th of Japan time. The match may be postponed due to the rain. 'Station Kanagawa' in 'The Fifty-Three Stations of the Tōkaidō' (circa 1833/35) by UTAGAWA Hiroshige. Teahouses for travelers are lined up along the roadway. The left back is where Yokohama Port and Stadium is currently located.

Here comes Typhoon Typhoon route (Japan Meteorological Agency) Nick Martínez (Age 31) 2020 Season Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters (Pacific League, NPB) 17 App, 2 W, 7 L, 4.62 ERA 2021 Season Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks (Pacific League, NPB) 11 App , 7 W, 2 L, 2.03 ERA ------------- Masato Morishita (Age23) Hiroshima Toyo Carp (Central League, NPB) 2020 Season 18 App , 10 W, 3 L, 1.91 ERA 2021 Season 13 App, 6 W, 4 L, 2.29 ERA

NBP players in Team USA baseball roster Pitcher Brandon Lee Dickson (2013 - May 2021) Nicholas Andres Martínez (2018 - ) Scott Thomas McGough (2019 - ) Outfielder Christopher Tyler Austin (2020 - )　 This year, Austin is a outfielder for Yokohama DeNA BayStars (NPB), the home field of which is Yokohama Stadium. Yokohama is the capital city of Kanagawa Prefecture, located on the west bank of Tokyo Bay, south of Tokyo. KATSUSHIKA Hokusai (1760-1849), 'Under the wave off Kanagawa' ('Great Wave') in 'Thirty-six views of Mt Fuji'. Color woodblock print, 1831.

Ohtani-san has achieved a total of 10 wins in MLB.

Sunburn (not tonight). The color of his face has become slightly darker.

Ohtani-san got a little tanned in the day game.

It has been a habit since the Little League era that Ohtani-san breathes to his hand before pitching. Lucky charm on the glove In 2015 (NPB era), a swallowtail butterfly (Papilio) was flying around Ohtani-san during the warm‐up before the game. On that day, he threw a shutout. As a lucky charm, he engraved a swallowtail butterfly on the back style of the glove. This year (2021), the web of the glove is engraved with Phoenix, which is a symbol of resurrection. 2021 Glove

MLB Japan All-Star Series 1990 at Tokyo Dome From 2:45 to 6:41 Pitcher Ramon Martinez Catcher Mike Scioscia From 4:50, Japanese announcer introduced battery.

As Yokohama Stadium is located in a small park of the downtown, it has the shortest distance (about 309 ft) to both wings among the Japanese professional baseball stadiums.