The Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya, opening this September, will feature Asia’s strongest competitors. This time, we spoke to three players from the women’s softball team, aiming for their seventh consecutive tournament victory, about the sport’s appeal.
With a smaller field than baseball, this is an ultra-fast battle where split-second decisions determine victory or defeat! Spectacular home runs are also a major draw. Since 2002, the women’s softball team has claimed six consecutive tournament wins, making them Asia’s strongest. Naturally, they are the top contenders for the gold medal once again, targeting a seventh straight victory.
Among them, the spotlight is on three key players from the Japan national team, all belonging to the local Toyota Motor Corporation.
“My strength is being able to distinguish balls from strikes and accurately identify which pitches to hit,” said Kyoko Ishikawa, a player for Toyota Motor Corporation.
In batting, she creates opportunities with her skillful hitting. In defense, as the captain of the Japan national team, she excels at shortstop with solid defensive play.
“I enjoy the aspect of pitch calling (leading),” said Yume Kiriishi, also from Toyota Motor Corporation.
She has all the opposing batters’ characteristics memorized. With her clever pitch calling, she leads the pitching staff as the linchpin of the Japan national team’s defense.
“I focus on hitting strongly in scoring situations,” said Eri Shimoyama, another Toyota Motor Corporation player.
A long-distance hitter known for her clutch performance in crucial moments, she is the Japan national team’s point-getter.
This time, these three players allowed announcer Sayaka Nakamura, who has no experience in softball, to try playing the sport, as she explores its fun and appeal.
