Japan: Yomiuri Giants established women’s team

After a virtual end of Japan Women’s Baseball League (JWBL), there’s a light of hope for the women’s baseball fans. Yomiuri Giants, holding 22 titles in Japanese NPB, announced their intent to create women’s team. Giants became the third NPB team, after Saitam Seibu Lions and Hanshing Tigers who are creating women’s team under their wings.

Despite JWBL practically ceasing its operation, the news emerged during the year that Women Baseball Femine Japan (WBFJ) attempts to create a collaboration with NPB teams. The collaboration should bring a better financial stability, that was missing in JWBL.

Giants announced the first four players, among which is Ayuri Shimano, a high school player, who is known for her part in Japanese Nike commercial about women equality in sports. Shimano is a utility player, who can pitch, or play in the infield and who won Giants Cup will boy’s team West Fighters Oyodo, where she became the first female pitcher to throw the tournament’s final. In 2021 she increased her collection with the first place in National High School Women’s Baseball Championship, where she played for Koryo Gakuen.

The team also signed Rinu Kanemitsu, who represented Japan in U18 category in Asian Cup, where she took the Defensive Player of the tournament award. The remaining two players are Kiyoshi Yoshiyasu, who will finish high school in 2022 and college outfielder Yohatsu Yamashita.

For now the club contemplates the women and men team could train together. More players should be known in February, when Giants plan to hold an open try out. The team plans to be ready to compete in amateur leagues in 2023.

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