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Chinese Taipei vs. Japan [November 10] Team Has Become One! Three Consecutive Wins in Practice Games

12/9/2013TopTeam

Chinese Taipei vs. Japan [November 10] Team Has Become One! Three Consecutive Wins in Practice Games

BASEBALL CHALLENGE 2013 - Review of the November 8 to 10 series from the day the teams arrived to the day it finished.

Team Work Improved Day by Day.

"The mood is extremely good!"

"The mood is excellent!"

"The environment is much better than I expected.

Third game was played at Tianmu Baseball Stadium. Before the game, I asked the players how they felt about the last two games." They shot back immediately with, "The mood is excellent." I also felt the same way. As the time has passed, the players have become closer. They've grown closer than we expected for a team that came together only six days ago.
The tension is there, but they were also relaxed. They all seemed to have the right attitude to go for the win.

Takahiro Matsuba (Orix) said,

"On the day we met, Captain Shima said that we should be relaxed and informal. This helped to relieve our uneasiness and put the team into a great mood. I really appreciate him."

Many of the other players also said that the Shima's words had a significant impact on the team. For the amateurs in particular, who were nervous and worried on the first day, Shima's words seemed to have made them feel closer to the professional players right away.

Three Consecutive Wins and Dismissal

The final practice game brought 8,081 fans to the stadium. In the 3rd inning, Samurai Japan scored once with a good hit to right by Takero Okajima (Tohoku Rakuten); and in the following inning, pitching by Kazuki Mishima (Yokohama DeNA), Takahiro Matsuba (Orix), Shoichi Ino (Yokohama DeNA), and Naoya Masuda (Chiba Lotte) prevented Taipei from getting a piece of the ball. The game ended with a score of 1 to 0. The team achieved its goal of taking three consecutive wins.

After the game, Manager Kokubo spoke to the other coaches, players, and staff.

Everyone was listening intently to what he had to say.

"As a new and inexperienced head coach, I appreciate your having given me your trust as players and I thank you for all the hard work you put in. As a result, we met our goal of winning all three games. I would like to express my respect for your endeavor. Although these were practice games, each of you probably felt the responsibility of being a representative of our country. I hope this precious experience will travel home with you and become an important part of your growth."

Manager Kokubo then paused a moment and took a ball from his hip pocket.

"Shoji Hiramatsu asked me not to tell anyone, but I want to share this with you. Shoji's father passed away on the day we left for Taiwan, but he decided to stay with us. I would like to express my deep appreciation to him here. This ball is from today's win, and I want Shoji to have it. Is this OK with everyone?"

"Yes, of course."

Shoji had tears in his eyes as he received the ball from Manager Kokubo.
The room was filled with the sound of their applause.

Manager Kokubo continued.

"You guys will leave this team, but I want you to return to your teams in Japan with a strong desire to take the initiative in the 2017 WBC games with these members. Thank you, everyone. Thank you so much."

"Thank you!"

After this ended, everyone shook hands. On their faces, I could see a look of relief brought on by achieving three consecutive wins, and a look of sorrow brought on by the need to say good-bye.

Many of them said sorrowfully, "I want to spend some more time with these players."

Tomorrow, the first Samurai Japan will head back to Japan.

チャイニーズ・タイペイ戦 ドキュメント 【11月5日】新生侍ジャパンのはじまり
チャイニーズ・タイペイ戦 ドキュメント 【11月6日】ついに全世代がひとつになる
チャイニーズ・タイペイ戦 ドキュメント 【11月7日】試合前日、いざ台北へ
チャイニーズ・タイペイ戦 ドキュメント 【11月8日】強化試合がついに開幕
チャイニーズ・タイペイ戦 ドキュメント 【11月9日】逆転勝利で2連勝
チャイニーズ・タイペイ戦 ドキュメント 【11月10日】チームはひとつに!強化試合3連勝
チャイニーズ・タイペイ戦 ドキュメント 【11月11日】戦いを終えた侍ジャパン

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