Former NPB All-Star Yuki Saito becomes Baseball5 Supervisor in Japan
The president of the Baseball Federation of Japan (BFJ), Masatake Yamanaka, introduced former Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) All-Star Yuki Saito as the new Baseball5 Supervisor.
Born in 1988, Saito played 11 seasons for the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters, mainly as a reliever. The right-hander pitched his last NPB game on October 16, 2021.
Saito led the Waseda Jutsugyo High School to the National High School title in 2006, earning MVP honours. Japanese media nicknamed him The Handkerchief Prince for his use of a handkerchief to wipe sweat from his face while on the mound.
"Yuki Saito has worked hard for the future of baseball since his retirement. To further promote Baseball5 in Japan, we expect Mr. Saito to take the initiative from the inside, not from the outside,” said Yamanaka.
The BFJ president added: "I hope Mr. Saito will also work hard to nurture players who will be competitive in the world."
Saito's interest in Baseball5 was sparked by an event held in 2023 as part of the Ball City Kiryu Project in Kiryu City, Gunma Prefecture
"I want to be be involved as a player in the future," Saito said.
Both Saito and President Yamanaka believe that Baseball5 "will revolutionize baseball in Japan, not only as an introduction to baseball, but also as a new discipline."
According to Saito, inclusion in elementary schools would boost Baseball5 development.
Saito has worked on a project to develop a new baseball facility. The venue is under construction and it will include a Baseball5 field.