At the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) draft held in Tokyo on October 23, KOJIMA Taiga (4th year, School of Political Science and Economics), Vice-Captain of the Baseball Club, was named in the first round by the Saitama Seibu Lions; OOKAWA Jei (4th year, School of Global Japanese Studies), a pitcher, was named in the first round by the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters; and MOURI Kaito (4th year, School of Information and Communication), a pitcher, was named in the second round by the Chiba Lotte Marines. The first-round pick of more than one player from the Baseball Club is the first such achievement in 10 years since the pick of UEHARA Kenta (Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters) and TAKAYAMA Shun (Hanshin Tigers, currently Oisix Niigata Albirex BC) in 2015.
Three draft picks
YAMAMOTO Yuichiro (Professor at School of Commerce), General Manager of the Baseball Club, TOTSUKA Toshimi, who is leading the club as Head Coach from this year, and fourth-year members of the club gathered at the Kishimoto Tatsuo Hall on the 23rd floor of Liberty Tower at Meiji University’s Surugadai Campus, which was also filled with reporters, to watch the live broadcast of the draft. Just like last year, about 150 students, faculty, and staff from Meiji University gathered at the public viewing area on the first floor of Liberty Tower to watch the broadcast.
Many students, faculty, and staff gathered at the public viewing area
When Vice-Captain KOJIMA and OOKAWA (pitcher) were named in the first round and MOURI (pitcher) in the second round, cheers erupted from their teammates. Then the three players, General Manager YAMAMOTO, and Head Coach TOTSUKA held a press conference.
KOJIMA Taiga, Vice-Captain (4th year, School of Political Science and Economics)
Vice-Captain KOJIMA, who was named in the first round by the Saitama Seibu Lions, was delighted, saying, “I am very happy to receive a high evaluation as a first-round pick.” KOJIMA also talked about his ambition after joining the Lions, saying, “I want to play well from the first year, showing my strength as a clutch hitter, to aim for Rookie of the Year.”
KOJIMA Taiga, Vice-Captain (4th year, School of Political Science and Economics)
Vice-Captain KOJIMA, who was named in the first round by the Saitama Seibu Lions, was delighted, saying, “I am very happy to receive a high evaluation as a first-round pick.” KOJIMA also talked about his ambition after joining the Lions, saying, “I want to play well from the first year, showing my strength as a clutch hitter, to aim for Rookie of the Year.”
Vice-Captain KOJIMA shaking hands with Head Coach TOTSUKA after being named in the first round by the Saitama Seibu Lions
Vice-Captain KOJIMA talking about his aspirations after joining the team
Vice-Captain KOJIMA says he wants to be a player who can stay in the professional baseball world for a long time with the support of his fans
OOKAWA Jei, pitcher (4th year, School of Global Japanese Studies)
OOKAWA, a pitcher, who was named in the first round by the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters, expressed his joy at the first-round pick and aspirations after becoming a professional baseball player, saying, “I’m so surprised and happy to be picked in the first round. I want to contribute to the team’s victories with my effective sharp fastballs and to become a pitcher loved by the fans.”
OOKAWA, pitcher, right after being named in the first round by the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters
OOKAWA talking about his aspirations after joining the team
OOKAWA says he wants to become a pitcher loved by fans
MOURI Kaito (4th year, School of Information and Communication)
MOURI, a pitcher, who was named in the second round by the Chiba Lotte Marines, spoke with vigor about his aspirations, saying, “I will continue to work hard so that I can play as an immediate asset from the first year, while taking advantage of my strength in sharp pitching. I want to grow into a pitcher who can support Japan in the future.”
MOURI, pitcher, right after being named in the second round by the Chiba Lotte Marines
MOURI says he wants to be a pitcher who can support Japan in the future
MOURI, pitcher, with a smile
Players from Meiji University were selected in the NPB draft for the sixteenth consecutive year, setting the longest record in the university’s history.
Three players named in the draft smiling with a fist pump
All the fourth-year teammates of the club sharing the joy