It seems kids these days have become this much less able to throw a ball compared with the past ↓
※Screenshot from “Overview of the FY2019 Physical Fitness and Athletic Ability Survey”
We Tried the “Tigers Academy Baseball School”
Kurayan @ Nishitsu’s daughters, Miniyan and Chibiyan, who are modern kids without the greatest athletic instincts, tried out the “Tigers Academy Baseball School”!
I threw it 3 meters!
No way.
9 meters!!
That’s… kind of borderline.
By the way, their mom Kurayan came in last in her class for the softball throw test in elementary school, so I guess the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
The class we tried this time was the
“3rd–4th Grade Beginner Course”
First, it starts with greetings.
Everyone recites the school’s guidelines together.
As a parent, I really appreciate that they teach things through baseball, like “look people in the eye when listening” and “greet people in a loud voice.” 
Next is warm-up exercises: jumping, skipping, and all kinds of running.
Tigers Academy also has advanced courses for kids aiming to go pro, but you can also enjoy “baseball as an extracurricular activity,” like in this trial lesson.
Baseball can have a tough image, like practicing seven days a week, but this is one lesson per week!
Still, it’s a full 80-minute session, so it felt exactly right for kids today.
They put on gloves.
Of course, this was the first time for both of them to use baseball gloves!! They carefully taught them how to put them on too. 
First up was catch.
Since the only time the two had thrown balls was in PE, the coaches gave them very hands-on pitching practice!
For Miniyan, they said, “Throw it like you’re serving in tennis!”
For Chibiyan, they said, “Tap your head with the hand holding the ball, then throw!”
The advice was so specific and easy for kids to understand!!
Look at that!!
Somehow, in no time, they were throwing with a pretty convincing form 😂!!
The coach apparently has tennis experience too, so he explained the movements using tennis as an example!
“It’s the same as receiving! Pull back on one, two, swing on three, and face your foot forward!”
I see, I see. (Miniyan is also a beginner at tennis 😅)
Tigers Academy has lots of classes, and every class has female coaches on staff.
It’s nice to know that even preschoolers, younger elementary school kids, and girls can feel comfortable and be taught kindly.
Finally, they practiced in a game-style format. So exciting 💓
Even the rock-paper-scissors to decide who bats first got everyone excited. 
The atmosphere was so friendly, and everyone seemed really close 😉
The sun went down, and it gradually turned into a night game. 
It had that nostalgic feeling of playing in the park after school until late. Maybe even dads would want to join in 😆?
Even though it’s game-style practice, it’s still a lesson, so it’s not “three strikes and you’re out!”
They keep pitching until the kids hit the ball 😂
Getting a hit really helps build confidence too. 
When someone hits the ball, everyone shouts, “Run, run!”
It’s the most exciting moment for both the coaches and the kids 🔥
All done!
It starts with a bow and ends with a bow.
After this, they even bow to the field!!
Baseball naturally teaches this kind of proper etiquette too!!
Tigers Academy practices at various venues,
but the Nishinomiyahama venue we visited is especially recommended for kids with no experience, since the small class size means they can receive careful instruction.
The fun and friendly coaches are former Hanshin Tigers players and current Hanshin Tigers Women players!!
What a luxury. 
This is only possible because the Hanshin Tigers’ home base is in Nishinomiya.
Since there are female coaches too, girls are of course very welcome!!
Chibiyan and Miniyan, the not-so-athletic sisters who tried the lesson, kept saying, “That was fun!!” and “I want to learn baseball!!” (They were throwing pretty well after just a few minutes, so I was honestly surprised!)
Free trial sessions are
Course and Location List
They’re available not only in Nishinomiya City, but also in Tarumi, Ashiya City, Takarazuka, Itami, and Amagasaki.
You can check each school’s location, schedule, and other details on the website →
Nishinomiya Venues
Now, let’s introduce each Nishinomiya venue.
(Mon.) Nishinomiya School ＜Nishinomiya City Central Multipurpose Ground＞
This baseball field is located in Central Sports Park and has night-game lighting, so classes are held into the evening!!
There are as many as five classes, from kindergarten through sixth grade!
(Mon.) Nishinomiya Noto School ＜Nishinomiya Municipal Noto
And a lot of parks don’t allow ball games anymore.