Taisei Miyazawa (Tokushima Indigo Socks), a former captain of the Hokkaido University’s Baseball Club and a fourth-year student in the School of Law, was selected by the Saitama Seibu Lions in the fifth round of the Nippon Professional Baseball draft. On November 17, Miyazawa and Akino, the coach of Hokkaido University baseball team, visited President Kiyohiro Houkin and Executive Vice President Junji Yamaguchi to report the results of the draft meeting. 

After congratulating Miyazawa’s achievement, President Houkin asked him about his impressions of being selected in the draft and his future goals. Miyazawa answered in a quiet but firm tone, saying he was pleased that his four years at the university and one year at the Tokushima Indigo Socks had paid off, and expressed his determination to continue to improve himself to be a big part of the professional baseball team.

Furthermore, President Houkin praised Miyazawa as a role model for the university students, stating that taking the first step in any world is difficult, but that step paves the roadt for those who follow. He expressed his expectation for Miyazawa’s future success.

From left, President Houkin / Taisei Miyazawa / Coach Akino / Executive Vice President Yamaguchi

On the same day, a press conference was held. Faced with a large number of reporters, Miyazawa calmly responded to questions from the press, giving off the air of a professional baseball player.

Miyazawa talked about the Hokkaido University and its baseball team, saying that it is a good environment where one can think and decide on their own actions, and if one has a desire, they can push forward. He also sent a cheer to his juniors, hoping that they will cherish the environment they are in and spend their four years in college there. His intelligence and passion, marked by an occasional touch of humor, was clearly on display at the press conference.

Miyazawa answers questions from reporters.

President Houkin (right) congratulates Miyazawa (left) at the press conference.

Miyazawa striking a pitching pose in response to a reporter’s request.

Baseball was introduced to Sapporo Agricultural College, the predecessor of Hokkaido University, by David P. Penhallow, an American teacher at the College. In 1901 (Meiji 34), a baseball club was established, and baseball at the University has a history and tradition of over 120 years. In its long history, it is the first time that a professional baseball player has been produced. 

Miyazawa is about to dive into a world of tough competition where professionals compete against each other, and we hope he will blaze a new trail with the spirit of the university’s basic philosophy, the Frontier Spirit.

Written by Ayumi Hasegawa