by Pim van Nes
He did not appear on the pre-tournament roster of Japan, presented to the press during the press conference in Haarlem, but meanwhile 21 years old Yudai Ohno has already appeared on the Haarlem mound three times for All Stars team. In first six days of Honkbal Week’s ten days, Ohno worked during 18 plus innings. In each of those three outings he got the game’s decision: a loss versus Cuba, a loss versus the Netherlands, but then a stunning complete game win versus Cuba.
Mister-Baseball: Why were not you on the first roster and why did you play so many innings already?
Yudai Ohno: I was a late addition to the western region selection and I knew that I was intended to be an “ace” to reinforce the team. Though I still feel some tension in my body, I am ready to take the mound, if asked again for coming Saturday or Sunday.
MRBB: Which adjustments did you make in your pitching after the losses against Cuba in 7 innings and against the Netherlands in 2 innings?
Y. Ohno: From my first and long start versus Cuba I had learnt that I should not be just straight in my work, but instead apply much more variety with sliders, fork balls and so on.
In his third appearance in present Haarlemse Honkbal Week, Ohno was opposed to Cuban best young pitcher Freddy Alvarez. After two scoreless innings, Ohno conceded a homerun (3-1 for Japan) in the third, but he continued with another five scoreless innings, till an outfield error caused a second Cuban run in the ninth inning. With a strikeout Ohno finished the last attack by Cuba and he earned the first win for Japan in this tournament: 4-2.
MRBB: Please tell us in Europe about you and your baseball in Japan.
Y. Ohno: I started to play baseball at school when I was 10 years old. After trying out several positions in outfield and infield, a coach saw me handling the ball and asked me to pitch, when I was 12. All my baseball activities were related to my schools. Now I am a sociology student at the University of Kyoto and we play baseball games in a spring season and a fall season. As a starting pitcher I played 10 games this spring season, recorded 7 wins and 1 loss which was good enough for my election as MVP of the league.
MRBB: Is Haarlemse Honkbal Week 2010 your first experience abroad?
Y. Ohno: Yes, so far my only baseball tournament outside Japan. There is a big difference between player in and outside Japan, but also between stadium fans in and outside Japan. For instance our team now understands and respects the community singing in Haarlem between the top and the bottom of the eighth inning, although we do not know what it means. It seems to belong to the atmosphere with every game in this stadium.
MRBB: What did you know about baseball in Europe before this week?
Y. Ohno: Absolutely nothing. Therefore I am so much surprised about the Netherlands home team playing so well. For me pitching against Japanese and other Asian batters is all right, but I really had problems with my first games versus Cuba and the Netherlands here. Good looking and quick learning in this tournament will be favorable for my further development. Best batters I faced so far were Danel Castro of Cuba and Bas de Jong of the Netherlands. After one or two more years better pitching in Japan, I reckon to be ready to accept invitations from pro ball clubs in USA, no matter which.
MRBB: Do you have a last one-liner for this website’s readers in Europe, USA or the rest of the world?
Y. Ohno: Whenever you would think of a new Japanese pitcher for your organization, just think of Yudai Ohno!
Mister Baseball wishes to thank Mrs Harumi Ueda for Q translation from Dutch to Japanese and for A translations from Japanese to Dutch language.
by Pim van Nes
Baseball writer for
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www.sporttribune.nl
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