Eri Yoshida – Female Pitcher in Japan
March 28, 2009 by Stephen Kersey
Filed under Feats and Accomplishments, Global Baseball
Eri Yoshida made her debut for Kobe 9 Cruise on Friday. Not only did she become the first professional female baseball player in Japan, she’s also only 17 years old. After walking the first batter she faced, she struck out the second batter.
Eri Yoshida - Japanese Female Pitcher Makes Debut (Image: Newscom)
Although Kobe 9 Cruise went on to win the game 5-0, almost all the attention after the game was how Eri Yoshida pitched. On the mound, Yoshida utilizes a sidearm knuckleball that actually has good movement to it.
“I want to be able to pitch more innings,” said Yoshida following her outing, “and become a pitcher who can be relied upon.”
Kobe 9 Cruise plays in the Kansai league, which is comparable to the minor leagues in the United States. They played this game in the Osaka Dome in the city of Osaka.
Growing up, Eri Yoshida has stated that Tim Wakefield was her hero. Wakefield is famous for his world class knuckeball. Now if Yoshida can add a knuckle curve to her repertoire, we’d have a new favorite here at KnuckleCurve.
