BC Kanagawa pitcher Masaru Inui "did everything he could" with 10 strikeouts and a period in his 16-year career as a player

7Pitcher Inui threw 133 pitches in the middle of the inning, giving up 2 runs (1 earned run) and 10 strikeouts. In the 5th and 6th innings, he showed his heartfelt pitches, such as shouting on the mound,He held down the Ibaraki Astro Planets batting order, who won the first district championship of the season and participated in the BCL championship.



When he went down to the mound in the middle of the 7th inning, director Takeo Kawamura said, "Thank you for your hard work."



Pitcher Inui, who won the last mound as an active player, also appeared on the stand.




Dry:Thank you very much for being my retirement match today.Among the players in the BC League, there are players who have already decided in their hearts that they will be active until this year, so I am grateful that we were able to play such a match.

First of all, I would like to say "thank you" to my parents who sent me off without saying anything when I suddenly said "I want to go to Toyo University Himeji High School" when I started playing baseball. From there, I met a lot of different people, who reached out to me when I was having a hard time, gave me encouragement, and made my baseball life blessed with encounters.

To be honest, I wasn't able to achieve the results I expected in NPB, but when I thought that I would no longer be able to play baseball, the Toyama GRN Thunderbirds of the Route Inn BC League called out to me and connected my baseball life.

After that, I am grateful that I was able to play for Kanagawa Future Dreams for three years.Today is the end of my career as a player, but I think I've been able to show off all that I've improved through training and matches without any regrets.



Dry: I love baseball, and I would like to continue my research on throwing, which I am particularly interested in, even after I retire, and I think that I must continue to support the players. I was able to play baseball without really regretting it. Thank you very much.




At the retirement ceremony that followed, greetings from pitcher Inui were followed by messages from players and managers who spent time with pitcher Inui at each team.

――Messages from former players and managers of the Toyama GRN Thunderbirds (2018-2019 member) 

Tomohito Ito, Tokyo Yakult Swallows first team pitcher coach:Thank you for your hard work for 12 years. When Inui pitched for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters and the Yomiuri Giants, I had the impression that he was just throwing with a lot of strength, but in Toyama he took on many challenges and became a slightly more mature pitcher. From now on, when teaching the next generation, please do your best to relax and do your best without exerting yourself like you did when you were active. Also, let's drink alcohol slowly.

Masayuki Matsuyama Pitcher / Orix Buffaloes:Inui-san, it's been a while. Mr. Inui taught me how to practice from scratch in Toyama, where I didn't know anything. I am who I am today without a doubt thanks to Mr. Inui. I really can't thank you enough. I sincerely wish you good health and success in the future. Thank you for your hard work for 12 years.


At the end of the retirement ceremony, pitcher and coach Mitsuo Yoshikawa, who played with Inui at the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham and the Yomiuri Giants, and still continues his career as a player with the Tochigi Golden Braves, appeared and presented a bouquet.

――Messages from players and managers who played for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters (2010-2016) 

Mr. Yuya Taniguchi, Co., Ltd.Fighters Sports & Entertainment:Inui Pitcher, thank you for your hard work for a long active life. Last year, after 11 years as a professional baseball player, I decided to take off the Fighters uniform with my colleague and colleague Yuki Saito.

In today's pitcher Inui's final appearance, Haruki Nishikawa of the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles became the only player who joined the team at the same time and continued to wear the uniform as an active player.

I met Mr. Inui in 2010. I never dreamed of wearing the same uniform as the big stars of Koshien and university baseball.

Every day he treated me like a younger brother, even though we were far apart in age. A baseball discussion from a pitcher's perspective and a fielder's perspective.

You also played golf and traveled on your days off. Even if the team changed, he would always come if I invited him to dinner. You are a really kind brother.

After leaving NPB, the environment changed and I think it was a very difficult time. "My workplace is the mound of the baseball field, and the distance of 18.44m is the same no matter where I am."

Inui is a pitcher who loves baseball more than anyone else and is the most reluctant to give up. You really have the character of a pitcher. I'm sure I'll be involved in my favorite baseball in the future. I think there are a lot of players who have received experience and advice as a player coach in the independent league. I'm sure many players will be active in the baseball world and NPB with Coach Inui's thoughts on them.

As an aside, please come and visit us at [S-CON FIELD HOKKAIDO], which will open in Kitahiroshima City, Hokkaido next March.

Also, Kanagawa Future Dreams, who approached me this time, everyone involved, my opponent Ibaraki Astro Planets, and the sponsors who give me a lot of support for the development of the baseball world, I will work hard towards my dreams. Thank you to all the fans who support the players who are in the middle of the day, and thank you for your precious time. Pitcher Inui, baseball life so far, nice pitching!!




 Mr. Yuki Saito (Yuki Saito Co., Ltd.CEO:Inui, thank you for your hard work in active life. A few years ago, Inui said to me, even though I wasn't playing in a better environment than when I was in NPB. "Baseball is getting more and more fun every year, so I want to continue." Hearing those words, it became one of my goals to play as an active player longer than Inui.

In the end, Inui stayed active longer than I, who retired last year. You threw well until here. It's amazing, I really think it's amazing. Inui Pitcher, who is kind to people and hard on himself, please rest your body and mind that have been working hard.

And I would be happy if we could work together to give back to the baseball world that was indebted to us. To all Kanagawa Future Dreams fans, thank you for supporting Inui. I thank you as a friend.

NPB career record(2011〜17）

74 trials combined 1 win 2 losses 2H
86 innings pitched 83 strikeouts ERA 5.65

Total BCL results (as of August 23)

428 2/3 innings pitched 458 strikeouts ERA 2.58