Young local residents pose with Nippon Professional Baseball players Taishi Ohta and Takuma Hayashi of the Yokohama DeNA Baystars after completing an hour-long baseball clinic at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Baseball Field on Saturday.
Japanese baseball player Taishi Ohta teaches a participant the technique of swinging during a baseball clinic at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Baseball Field on Saturday.
Japanese baseball players Takuma Hayashi, Taishi Ohta, with their manager/translator Eini Taniguchi, share some words with the participants of an hour-long baseball clinic at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Baseball Field on Saturday.
NIPPON Professional Baseball players Taishi Ohta and Takuma Hayashi of the Yokohama DeNA Baystars hosted an hour-long clinic for young local players at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Baseball Field on Saturday.
Ohta, 33, shared batting techniques while teammate Hayashi, 23, discussed defense, including securing a grounder and how to properly throw the ball.
Speaking through their manager and translator, Ohta said he has been a frequent visitor of the island for eight years now.
“Every year we practice here for spring camp because it’s very hot and has a great view — I like it here,” Ohta said.
He said their team, the Yokohama DeNA Baystars, are preparing for the regular season of the Nippon Professional Baseball, which begins on Feb. 1.
Hayashi noted that the island’s young players are physically fit, adding that he was amazed by their throwing arms and power.
Ohata, who signed baseballs for the participants, said they plan to host a clinic again whenever they visit the island each year.
One of the clinic participants, SPC Survivors pitcher Jason Reyes, said: “I didn’t plan to come here but I decided to stop by and when I saw what was happening I decided to join.”
He added that the clinic participants “learned some skills and techniques, which could make us play better.”
He said he was glad to be part of the clinic and learn more about offensive and defensive situations.
