This June, Hyodo Daiki, who became a Nishinomiya City Eemon Hirome Ambassador, had his first official job on October 7, and Nishinomiya City told us, “Nishitsu, you’re welcome to come too,” so we went along.
Believe it or not, this time it was about a super premium furusato nozei gift item… Sounds interesting, right?
Right away, Hyodo was surrounded by tons of media people. Do you know where this place is?
A 100th-anniversary baton pass! With Nishinomiya celebrating its 100th anniversary as a city next year, we came to Koshien Stadium, which is 1 year older. This is the Koshien History Museum next to the stadium.
Hyodo said he was in his third year of junior high when the Hanshin Tigers won the championship in 1985, and shared, “They really went and won it. That was the year they gave me such a moving experience.”
Hyodo was apparently on the baseball team in junior high, and he said friends would imitate players, saying things like, “I’m Okada! I’m Kakefu! I’m Bass! I’m Hirata!” I might’ve done that too! Actually, I went to the same elementary and junior high schools as Hyodo, a few years after him
This is the virtual batting center “BE-STADIUM KOSHIEN,” where it feels like you’re batting inside Koshien Stadium. Nishitsu has actually visited here for coverage before too
It’s so realistic that Hyodo was surprised, saying, “Whoa, scary! Amazing!! So this is what it looks like!”
He looked a little nervous, saying, “Uh-oh, I wonder if I can hit it.” Maybe saying he used to be on the baseball team raised the bar
A tense moment. 3 seconds to go.
All the media people raised their cameras at once.
Even though he was going, “Whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa…”
From the very first pitch, crack! He said of himself, “Turns out I’m the kind of kid who can do it!” lol
After it ended, when a reporter told him, “4 hits in 12 at-bats,” he said, “You were counting for me!” and looked grateful. A “.333” batting average is pretty amazing, isn’t it?
The History Museum is in Plus Hall, and from there we crossed the deck to the History Museum on the Koshien Stadium side.
A signed ball Hyodo wrote during a location shoot when he previously visited the museum.
Next to it was a ball from his同期 Hosshan, and he said, “Thank you so much! This kind of thing really does make you happy, doesn’t it?” It was striking how deeply moved he seemed.
The current Emperor also threw out a ceremonial first pitch here!! Koshien Stadium really is amazing!Which means Nishinomiya is amazing too!
When he was in elementary school, he apparently watched a lot of the action from PL Gakuen High School and Ikeda High School, and went to Koshien saying, “Araki’s pitching!”
Looking at the best lineup from back then, he rhythmically called out every player’s name and was really moved.
Do you know where this is?
Here’s the hint!Pretty obvious, huh
It’s the back screen. Hyodo was excited and kept exclaiming, “It’s this big! So impressive! This is such a valuable spot!”
And then this view! “I feel like I’ve won the championship without even doing anything!” said Nishinomiya’s Eemon Hirome Ambassador.
“Even being allowed in here is rare, but going inside is absolutely impossible, right?” he said, to which…
“Today is special. Please come into the infield stands!” And Hyodo was extremely happy to be specially allowed inside.
Since this is Koshien Stadium, the sacred ground of baseball, he gave it a bow.
“Just seeing the stands is amazing, but
