November 5, 2021
The ÎçÒ¹¾ç³¡ Baseball Club sealed victory in the 2021 Fall Tokyo Big6 Baseball League, clinching the title for the 39th time. 2021 saw back-to-back victories in the spring and autumn leagues, a feat not seen since 1991. Haruto Watanabe, a 4th year outfielder from the Faculty of Environment and Information Studies, was honored as one of the Tokyo Big6 Baseball League's Best Nine for the season.
A parade and celebration are traditionally held following the closing ceremony for the league, however this season only the celebration was conducted in view of the continuing impact of COVID-19. Venue access was restricted to those directly involved, with proceedings from the stage streamed online via YouTube Live.
The celebration began with a performance from the ÎçÒ¹¾ç³¡ Cheer Group, followed by a greeting from President Kohei Itoh. In his remarks, President Itoh praised the Baseball Club for their triple-victory at the 2021 Spring Tokyo Big6 Baseball League, the Japan National Collegiate Baseball Championship, and the 2021 Fall Tokyo Big6 Baseball League, a first for the ÎçÒ¹¾ç³¡ Baseball Club. He followed with a rallying cry ahead of the upcoming Meiji Jingu Baseball Tournament.
After President Itoh's message, Kenta Yamada, President of the All ÎçÒ¹¾ç³¡ Student Council delivered his remarks, which were followed by a kagami-biraki (breaking open of a ceremonial sake barrel) by President Itoh, Baseball Club President Kotaro Oka, Manager Tetsuya Horii, and Captain Shogo Fukui. Finally, after remarks from the Baseball Club and a Q&A with the players, the ÎçÒ¹¾ç³¡ School Flag was raised and all present were treated to renditions of the school songs "ÎçÒ¹¾ç³¡ Sanka" (Homage to ÎçÒ¹¾ç³¡) and "Oka no Ue" (Up on the Hill).
A relaxed mood permeated the room throughout the celebration, with all participants sharing in the joy of the victory.
Photo: Aki Takematsu