Going with SoftBank history, from the first opening pitch 20 years ago to the first pitch of the year 20 years ago, I didn't think talent Ueto would really do it again

Mar 01, 2025

Ueto threw the first pitch in the opening game of the soft bant in 2005. This year, which marks the 20th anniversary of the team's foundation, will also be the first pitchman for the opening. Photo Capture = Sports Nippon

Talent and singer Ueto, who threw the opening pitch for SoftBank's home game on March 28. Photo Source = Uetoya SNS

The strongest team in the Pacific League, the Softbank Hawks, announced the first pitch of this season's opening game. Actress and singer Suueto Aya (40) will throw the first pitch ahead of the Chiba Lotte Marines match at Fukuoka Dome on March 28.

Like the KBO League, famous celebrities often pitch the first pitch in Japanese professional baseball. They are enthusiastic fans who usually support the team, or the team's parent company advertising model will pitch the first pitch. Most of them are people who are in the spotlight at that time. It's a kind of fan service.

However, Softbank and Ueto are also meaningful ceremonies.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the team's launch for SoftBank. Softbank Chairman Son Jeong-ui took over Daiei Hawks in 2005 and made a fresh start. He succeeded the Hawks, who had been running since Nankai's time. Ueto threw the first pitch in SoftBank's first game 20 years ago. He was an advertising model for Softbank at the time, but he has been appearing until now.

With this kind of relationship, he will take the mound again. It is the first opening pitch in 18 years following 2005 and 2007.

Ueto said on Softbank's SNS, "I'm happy to be back in the same place after 18 years. I threw the first pitch 20 years ago and in 2007, and I really didn't think I'd throw the first pitch again on the 20th anniversary. I'm worried if I can throw it properly, but I'll try to enjoy it. I'll cheer with the fans on that day."

Fans' responses are good to be with the club's history. When many baseball fans think of Ueto, they will naturally think of Softbank.

Arihara will start this year's opener. He won the first game of the Japan Series last year and hit the final hit. Photo capture = Softbank Hawks SNS

When 20-year-old Ueta threw his first pitch in 2005, Tsuyoshi Shinjo was at the plate. This is Shinjo, the director of the Nippon Ham Fighters. Shinjo came out with a healthy drink he was advertising at the time. Shinjo, who finished his major league challenge, went to Nippon Ham, not his old team Hanshin Tigers. In 2004, he joined the Nippon Ham team, which moved to Sapporo, Hokkaido.

Manager Sadaharu Oh (Wang Jung-gi), who led Softbank 20 years ago, is the current chairman of the club.

The Hawks, who changed their sign to Softbank, have been reborn as a strong team. He won the Japan Series seven times in 10 years from 2011 to 2020. He won the trophy for four consecutive years from 2017 to 2020. Continuous fostering and efficient investment have produced the best results.

Last year, Softbank recorded the highest winning percentage in both leagues. He ranked No. 1 in the Pacific League for the first time in four years. The ending was unfortunate. In the Japan Series, he won two consecutive games against the Yokohama BayStars, who are ranked third in the Central League, and lost four consecutive games.

Softbank coach Kokubo and the fourth batter Yamakawa. Softbank ranked first in the Pacific League last year for the first time in four years. However, after two consecutive wins against Yokohama in the Japan Series, he lost four consecutive games and missed the championship. Photo capture = Softbank Hawks SNS

Coach Hiroki Kokubo appointed Kohei Arihara as the starting pitcher for the opening game.

This article was translated by Naver AI translator.