Monday, August 15, 2011

To Mr. Otosaka...

If you happen to stumble upon this blog, it was a pleasure meeting you today, even though it wasn't for that long. I would have liked to have talked more about your son, how you came to Japan and how you've settled in amongst other things.

As it stood it felt like a rushed conversation as the game was about to begin and you were being moved about.

I thought I was going to be able to talk to you again considering how the game was going, but well... we know how it ended.

And I was going to offer my condolences after the game, but I think you had probably left to be with your son who I'm sure was crushed by the loss.

But I'm glad I got a chance to meet you even if for a moment.

6 comments:

Deanna said...

Oh, that's so cool that you got to meet Tomo's dad! I was so surprised when he found my blog and sent in a comment too -- I have so many questions I'd want to ask too, but I'm always afraid to be rude. So maybe if you're lucky he'll find this too!

I really did hope you'd get to randomly meet Tomo's family like I did at Senbatsu. They were very cool people.

westbaystars said...

I believe it's "Mr. Ottosaka." The first character is 乙 which is either "おつ" or "おっ." It just so happens to be in my address - 乙舳町 (Ottomo-cho).

Bro Rob R said...

Sorry for the late reply as I just found this link.
It was nice to meet you! It's too bad we couldn't talk after the game.
Needless to say the end of the game was a major let down.
The original pitcher seemed to be doing fine all game.....which was evident by the fact that we were winning rather decisively until Watanabe pulled the pitcher. I and many others question Coach Watanabe's decision to change the pitcher 4 times with 2 outs in the 9th.
Japanese HS baseball is full of politics...which I won't go into here.
Tomo is now trying to decide where he wants to play. He might play in a Japanese University, or possibly go to the US to play. He kinda sorta has two Japanese pro teams looking at him but I would rather he wait until after he finishes University before turning pro.

Goro Shigeno said...

Thanks for coming around! I'll be working on pictures when I get back (I'm in O'Hare right now) though not immediately.

I'm not sure either why he would pull Yanagi unless he felt the lead was safe and he could go to a reliever. Yet unless the game is clearly not in doubt, the manager usually leaves the pitcher in the game somewhere.

At the point of changing pitchers 4 times, I think it points to the fact that Watanabe-kantoku made an error in completely removing Yanagi from the game. Switching pitchers like that reminds me of the Chiben Wakayama-Teikyou game when Teikyou scored 8 in the top of the 9th, but had PH for the last pitcher they really had. They tried many players, but none could throw a strike.

Anyways, I know HS baseball is full of politics, things that have this much importance always seem to. It's too bad though.

Really? Tomo's thinking of coming to the US? I assume you mean university ball right? I know there are a few HS players who get drafted into NPB, but unless you're the "can't miss" player such as Tanaka Mashiro, Kikuchi Yuusei or the like, it would probably be best to go to university and get an education. I'm glad to see you're looking out for that.

I'm going to have things posted on here from my time at Koshien eventually, inlcuding our picture. Please feel free to stop by anytime! And let me and Deanna know how Tomo and youself are doing!

Bro Rob R said...

Tomo just got selected for the Yokohama Baystars!

Goro Shigeno said...

Yes! I noticed on the draft list that the Baystars grabbed quite a few HS players not the least of which was your son! おめでとうございます!

I hope your family had a great time celebrating his selection! Of course, he'll eventually be focusing on moving up through ni-gun, but I don't doubt his abilities and I think we'll see him sooner rather than later!