Assumed office on March 1, 2024

Yomiuri Giants young players have been appointed as "Yomiuri Giants Inagi City PR Supporters!!"

Young players from the Yomiuri Giants have been appointed as public relations ambassadors for the municipalities that have signed a partnership agreement around the new GIANTS stadium under construction in the Minamiyama area of Inagi City (scheduled to open in March of the 7th year of Reiwa). In Inagi City, four players have been appointed as "Yomiuri Giants Inagi City PR Supporters".

In the future, we will work together with Mr. Kazuchi Miyamoto, the tourism ambassador of Inagi City (manager of the Yomiuri Giants women's team), to promote Inagi City through baseball!

• "Yomiuri Giants Official Website"(External Link)
  For more information about the Yomiuri Giants public relations ambassador, please also visit the Inagi City Website.
• Yomiuri Giants (Giants) X(external link)
  Messages from players Asano and Morita are also being distributed on Yomiuri Giants (Giants) X!

Yomiuri Giants

Shogo Asano

• Position: Outfielder
• Jersey Number: 51
• Date of Birth: November 24, 2004
• Height: 171 centimeters
• Place of Origin: Kagawa Prefecture
• 2022 Draft No. 1

Shunya Morita

• Position: Pitcher
• Jersey Number: 47
• Date of Birth: February 11, 1997
• Height: 185 centimeters
• Place of Origin: Toyama Prefecture
• 2023 Draft 2nd Round

Yomiuri Giants Women's Team

Haruna Ito (Ito Haruna) Player

• Position: Pitcher
• Jersey Number: 15
• Date of Birth: April 21, 2004
• Place of Origin: Hyogo Prefecture

Saki Oonuma

• Position: Catcher
• Jersey Number: 5
• Date of Birth: January 13, 2002
• Place of Origin: Chiba Prefecture

We will present signed colored paper and balls by the players through a lottery【Application period has ended】

To commemorate the appointment of the Inagi City PR Supporters, we will present signed colored paper and balls from four players and the manager of the Yomiuri Giants women's team, Kazuchi Miyamoto (Inagi City Tourism Ambassador).

Lottery Details

• Signed colored paper and ball by Asano player, 1 each
• Signed colored paper and ball by Morita, 1 each
• Signed colored paper and ball by Ito and Onuma players - 1 each
• Miyamoto Director Signed Ball 1 person

Eligibility

Residents of the city

Application Deadline

May 7, 2024 (Tuesday)
Note: The application period has ended.

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We asked each athlete about their image of Inagi City and their enthusiasm.

Shogo Asano

What are your thoughts on being appointed as a PR supporter for Inagi City?

I don't know much about Inagi City yet, so I would like to learn more by talking a lot with Mr. Morita.

What is your impression of the area around the Yomiuri Giants stadium where you usually practice and the image of Inagi City?

It gives the impression of a quiet and livable town.

What is the image of Morita? What is the relationship between the two?

To be honest, when I joined, it was a bit difficult to approach because of the age difference, but Mr. Morita casually talked to me, and since we had the opportunity to go eat together during camp, he is an easy-to-talk-to senior, like an older brother.

What do you call Morita player?

I am called "Shogo".

What does player Asano want to do at the new GIANTS Stadium, scheduled to open in March next year, and what are the expectations for him as a Giants player?

I want to become a player who is supported more by fans and who people want to see in the stadium. I also want to work hard as a team and as an individual so that many people will come to the stadium.

What are the goals for this season and the points you want the citizens to see?

I would be happy if you could treat me as a member of Inagi City, as a friend or family. I understand that there might be some distance because I am a professional baseball player, making it a bit difficult to approach me, but I want to break down that wall and be a familiar presence as I strive to do my best.

What do you want to convey to the citizens about your enthusiasm as a PR supporter of Inagi City?

If my schedule aligns with Mr. Morita during the off-season, I would like to engage in activities such as baseball classes and visits to elementary schools that contribute to increasing the baseball population.

What is the image of girls' teams and girls' baseball?

There is a childhood friend named Nene Masago on the girls' team, and sometimes when our schedules align for self-practice, we work together on things like tee batting. I hope that regardless of gender, we can enjoy the sport of baseball together and that the number of baseball players will increase.

What would you like to do in the future as a PR supporter of Inagi City?

I want to interact with the citizens. Rather than imposing restrictions like how close we can get, I think it would be great if we could create opportunities for interaction where even small children can come up to us and adults can engage in conversation. I believe this would help Inagi City thrive.

For children who are already part of a baseball team, I believe it will become a more familiar and aspirational presence. Please send a message to those children.

It's not just about saying, "Do your best," but rather, "I want to do my best together." Seeing the efforts of the youth baseball players inspires us to do our best as well, and I hope that by seeing us work hard, the children in youth baseball will also feel motivated to aspire and strive. I want us to support each other and improve together.

Shunya Morita

What are your thoughts on being appointed as a PR supporter for Inagi City?

I want to firmly promote Inagi City. Personally, there are still many things I do not know about Inagi City, but I believe I will be relying on Inagi City a lot in the future, so I want to find many good aspects and let people outside the city know about them.

What are the impressions and images of the area around Yomiuri Giants Stadium and Inagi City?

It gives a very quiet impression. I was born in Toyama Prefecture and grew up in a quiet place, so it feels like a similar environment. I can concentrate on baseball, and the air is delicious, so I can live comfortably.

The specialty product of Inagi City is pears, but have you ever eaten Inagi pears?

I haven't eaten it yet. I love pears, so I want to eat a lot from now on.

Has the current public relations ambassador project been a topic of discussion among the other athletes?

It is still to come. From now on, I think it will spread to the athletes through participation in various events and PR activities. I want to convey this not only to the athletes but also to the fans.

What is your impression of player Asano, who was appointed together this time?

Although he looks older than me, Asano is actually seven years younger than me. (laughs) He is very calm. I feel that he thinks things through and has a strong sense of self. I respect him for his serious approach to baseball.

How do you two call each other?

I am called Morita, and I call Asano player Shogo.

Did you two talk about something?

Honestly, when I first heard about the public relations ambassador, I hadn't met Shogo yet, so I didn't know much about him. Since then, we've started talking more, spending more time together, and have become good friends.

What does player Morita want to do and expect at the new GIANTS Stadium?

I hope many people will come to see it, and I think we need to do a good job of promoting it so that it attracts attention. I want to work hard to make it a fun place that people can casually visit, not just for watching baseball.

What are your goals for your first year and the key points you want to highlight?

I want to achieve solid results. By showing that kind of attitude, I hope to make the people of Inagi City feel proud. To do that, both Shogo and I want to work hard to perform well in the first team so that we can both participate in the hero interview.

What do you want to convey to the citizens about your enthusiasm as a PR supporter of Inagi City?

I want to be someone who can truly be close to you, and I believe that being able to enjoy ourselves is the most important thing, so I hope to provide many opportunities for that.

Do you have any images or impressions of the girls' team or women's baseball?

Baseball is often a sport that attracts more attention from men. However, the activities of female players are increasing, and I believe they will continue to grow in the future. Regardless of gender, I hope we can all come together as the Yomiuri Giants to promote the sport.
(Among the Inagi City PR supporters, including players Ito and Onuma) I am the senior, so I would like to lead as the captain of Inagi City.

What would you like to do in the future as a PR supporter of Inagi City?

I hope I can go to elementary school. I would like to participate with Shogo in places where many people gather, as long as time allows. I want to be a familiar athlete, not a special one.

For children who are already part of a baseball team, I believe it will become a more familiar and aspirational presence. Please send a message to those children.

Although the number of baseball players is decreasing now, I believe it is important for us to engage in activities and matches that will increase the baseball population through baseball. We will do our best, so let's work together to revitalize the baseball community!

Athletes Haruna Ito & Saki Onuma

What are your memories of Inagi City?

(Ito player)
I feel that the people I meet in Inagi City are reaching out to me and supporting me.
(Onuma Player)
I often go out to eat in the city with my teammates, spending time searching for delicious restaurants.

When did you start playing baseball, and what was the motivation?

(Ito player)
Since I was in the first grade of elementary school. It was influenced by my older brother playing baseball, and I thought it looked interesting.
(Onuma Player)
Since I was in the second grade of elementary school. I started when I was invited to watch my brother's practice, influenced by him.

What are the reasons and motivations for joining the Yomiuri Giants women's team?

(Ito player)
The opportunity arose when Director Miyamoto invited me to try out for the Giants' selection. I accepted because if I could make an impression during that selection, I would be able to join the Yomiuri Giants.
The image of the Yomiuri Giants is that there are already four amazing players from the first generation, and I heard they are adding more players, so I thought it would become an incredible team. For female players, it is a dream stage. I have the image of being able to play with high-level players, and I have included it in my aspirations.
(Onuma Player)
The opportunity came from the tryout. When I decided to leave my previous team, I thought I would challenge myself at a higher level and participated in the Yomiuri Giants tryout.

What did you actually feel after joining the Yomiuri Giants?

(Ito player)
After graduating from high school, I joined the Yomiuri Giants, so unlike high school club activities, I thought it was amazing how each player finds their own challenges and works on improving them all by themselves.
(Onuma Player)
As expected, being the oldest professional baseball team in Japan, I feel that we are provided with an excellent training and game environment. I am grateful for the many fans who come to the games.

What is the fun of each position? Do you have any players you refer to or use as examples?

(Ito player)
The interesting thing about being a pitcher is definitely the thrill of getting a batter out or striking someone out. The effort put into practice is directly reflected in those moments, so I feel very happy when I get a batter out.
The senior from high school who also played sidearm always looked brilliant to me. Since that person was also selected for the Japan national team, I have always looked up to them.
(Onuma Player)
The charm of being a catcher is that, out of the nine players, only the catcher faces the opposite direction, allowing for a beautifully different view compared to the other players. I believe that a catcher who can hit is amazing, so I want to become a catcher who can hit.

What are the appeal points and places you definitely want to see?

(Ito player)
I want you to see some powerful pitching!
(Onuma Player)
I am confident in my shoulder strength.

When do Inagi City residents feel close to their community?

(Ito player)
Through baseball classes and academies, I would be happy if children and their Parent or Guardian could develop an interest in women's baseball, and I believe they would feel closer and more connected to female players.
(Onuma Player)
If you come to the matches or practices, I think you will be able to talk with the fans afterwards. I believe this is a point where you can feel closer compared to the male players. I really hope you can come!
(Ito player)
Please come to see the smiles!

What are your goals for the rest of this season?

(Ito player)
This season, I plan to throw a lot and gain more experience. Moving forward, I will train diligently to be selected for the national team, and I will work on both my pitching speed and control.
(Onuma Player)
As a team, we aim for the league championship and also to achieve a triple crown with two additional championships. Individually, I will work hard to become a capable catcher.

What do you want to do and what are you looking forward to at the new GIANTS stadium scheduled to open in March next year?

(Ito player)
Women's baseball games will also be held at the new GIANTS stadium, and we hope you will come to see us play there.
(Onuma Player)
Personally, I am looking forward to the new GIANTS stadium, and I am also excited about the aquarium being built, so I want to promote it properly.

What do you want to convey to the citizens about your enthusiasm as a PR supporter of Inagi City?

(Ito player)
I hope to have interactions with the citizens, to share knowledge about women's baseball, to discuss the good aspects of our city with each other, and through such connections, to spread the good points of Inagi City.
(Onuma Player)
A new GIANTS stadium has been built in Inagi City, and since it includes an aquarium, I believe there will be many opportunities for families to come and watch baseball. Speaking of Inagi City, it is home to the Giants, and furthermore, Tokyo Verdy is also a hometown team, making sports very active here. We would like to promote Inagi City through baseball.

What would you like to convey about the charm of Inagi City to Yomiuri Giants fans?

(Ito player)
This is Inagi's pear. We often enjoy pears in autumn, and the pears from Inagi City are very large, sweet, and delicious.
(Onuma Player)
The abundance of nature. There are rivers in the city, and in spring, the cherry blossoms bloom beautifully, so I want to promote these aspects.

What would you like to do in the future as a PR supporter of Inagi City?

(Ito player)
I would like to visit various places in Inagi City to promote women's baseball.
(Onuma Player)
I hope that this will be an opportunity to promote the appeal of women's baseball in Inagi City, such as by hosting women's baseball games.

What are the good things that children aspiring to be baseball players or athletes worked on during their elementary and junior high school years?

(Ito player)
I have also participated in various sports. What I realized from experiencing different sports is that the way to use your body is learned through various activities, so I think it's important to just start moving, and if you don't understand something, to have a goal and move again.
(Onuma Player)
I have been involved in various sports since kindergarten, including swimming. I love baseball, of course, but I also enjoy other sports. I think it's important to try something out when you have an interest in it.

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