Professional female golfer Reika Miyako threw out the ceremonial first pitch at a professional baseball game between the DeNA BayStars and the Yomiuri Giants at Yokohama Stadium (Naka Ward, Yokohama City) on April 25th. Her pitch was low and wide towards the left-handed batter's box, and Miyako gave a wry smile, saying, "I'm frustrated! I want to do it again."
Miyako took to the mound wearing a custom-made BayStars replica uniform with the number "385 (Miyako)" on it. In a practice session in the bullpen just before, she consistently threw strikes and said, "I'm looking forward to seeing not only how far I can get the ball, but also how fast I can throw it." However, the ball she threw in the actual game went low and far off target behind the left-handed batter's box.
He also commented, "It was a special experience to be able to pitch in front of so many spectators. Next time, I want to win a golf tournament in front of a large crowd."
The match that day was held as "Sports Viewing! U-NEXT DAY," a sponsored event by the video streaming service "U-NEXT." The service will begin exclusive live streaming of the domestic women's golf JLPGA Tour in 2025, and Miyako was chosen to throw the ceremonial first pitch as one of the people who contributed to increasing awareness of the tour and streaming. The first pitch ceremony can be viewed on the service's on-demand streaming service.
