In this year's Senbatsu High School baseball team, there is a player who was encouraged by one letter.
This is Yu Yoshida of Tokushima and Joto High School, who made his first appearance in Koshien in the 1st century. The letter came from a baseball player who overcame Yoshida's illness last summer to win the crown.
(Senbatsu Interview Team Yusuke Kofune)
Thoughts that sprouted at last summer's Koshien
Yu Yoshida of Joto High School. In the 21st century frame, the team participated for the first time throughout the spring and summer, and played as the second shortstop.
JOTO YOSHIDA Yu
Last year, I got sick during the regional tournament aiming for the summer Koshien.
The doctor's diagnosis is "reflux esophagitis".
Due to this illness, I had to finish the tournament without feeling better.
Meanwhile, what jumped out at me was the success of Miyagi and Sendai Ikuei High School, who were the first to bring back the crimson championship flag to Tohoku.
Last Summer Koshien Sendai Ikuei Iwasaki Ikuya
In particular, when I learned that Iwasaki Ikuya, who hit a home run in the final, had recovered from the same "reflux esophagitis" as me, a certain feeling arose.
"How have we come this far?"
Two people connected by illness
After the summer Koshien ended, Yoshida took the plunge and sent a letter to Iwasaki with his mother.
After a while, Iwasaki returned a handwritten letter.
Letter from Iwasaki Ikuya
In the letter in which Iwasaki said, "I wrote a little bit while looking back on the hard days," he carefully described his own experience.
"I tried a lot of different medications, but it didn't get any better. It is good to avoid oily foods, eat easy-to-eat noodles, and always eat vegetables. In order not to lose weight, I ate less, but I tried to eat five meals a day."
Advice when symptoms appear.
"If you think you're going to throw up, you throw up, so if you feel dangerous, first stand still, and when you feel calm, inhale through your nose and exhale through your mouth, and take a deep breath,"
he concluded.
"I'm looking forward to seeing Yu play baseball, so please don't give up and do your best,"
the letter from Iwasaki gave Yoshida great courage.
(YOSHIDA Yu)
"Next time, I want to play as hard as I can in Koshien and become a side that gives courage and inspiration."
Ikuya Iwasaki
"I realized that there were high school baseball players suffering from the same disease, and I was glad that they saw me and wrote me a letter.
Before the tournament, on SNS
The two connected by letter and began to communicate on social media before the tournament.
When Yoshida reported to Iwasaki that he had been selected to participate in Koshien in the 2st century, Iwasaki sent a message of encouragement, saying, "I'm rooting for you, so do your best!!
To the first Koshien
And the first match at Koshien.
Yoshida, who entered the match in perfect physical condition, entered the tournament as the second shortstop.
After stealing a base in the first inning, he homered first and had a hit in the second.
In addition, we handled the difficult bounce ball well in defence and made the stadium excited.
Although he lost the match, Yoshida had a refreshing expression on his face.
(YOSHIDA Yu)
"I was able to believe in Mr. Iwasaki's words and put out my usual self and enjoy myself as much as I can. I want to use this experience in my future training sessions to overcome each task and win the next one."
They go to different schools and live in different areas, and they are players I have never met.
Once the tournament starts, you will gain courage from rivals and bonds will be formed.
High school baseball has that kind of power.