On December 7th, NIPPON EXPRESS Holdings held the "NX Group x Samurai Japan Baseball Clinic" at the "NIPPON EXPRESS Urawa Ballpark" in Urawa Ward, Saitama City. Samurai Japan manager Hirokazu Ibata, head coach Makoto Kaneko, and coach Eishin Bon served as special instructors, and together with members of the Nippon Express baseball team, they provided technical instruction to 92 children from local youth baseball teams in Saitama Prefecture and employees of the NX Group.
<Commemorative photo taken by the participants>
The participating children practiced batting, catching, and fielding under the guidance of manager Ibata, coach Kaneko, coach Bon, and members of the Nippon Express baseball team. The children listened intently to this valuable opportunity to receive direct instruction from coaches of the Samurai Japan team, who compete on the world stage, and from players who are active on the front lines of amateur baseball.
<A scene of Manager Ibata conducting fielding practice>
After practice, there was a Q&A session with manager Ibata and others, as well as a rock-paper-scissors tournament to win signed merchandise.
Participants shared comments such as, "Playing catch with everyone was so much fun, and I've come to love baseball even more. I want to keep practicing what I learned today and work hard to become a professional baseball player."
Toshio Kitagawa, captain of the Nippon Express baseball team, spoke about his thoughts on the baseball clinic, saying, "I believe that loving baseball is the shortest path to improvement, so above all, I try to make sure that everyone finds it fun."
At the closing ceremony, the special instructors offered enthusiastic encouragement, saying, "I would be happy if even one more child who hasn't joined a baseball team yet joins one. If you approach your future practice and studies with the same spirit as you had in the final rock-paper-scissors tournament, a bright future awaits you" (Coach Ibata), "I was energized by all of your energy. I hope you will compete with your teammates and improve your baseball skills" (Coach Bon), and "You all have nothing but room to grow. Even if you fail, you have the energy to keep trying until you succeed. If you keep building on that, it will lead to results" (Coach Kaneko).
Since October 2015, the NXHD Group has been a Diamond Partner, supporting the "Samurai Japan" national baseball teams at all age levels. In addition, the Nippon Express Baseball Club holds baseball clinics in its hometown of Saitama City, as well as at training camps and away games, as part of its community-based social contribution activities.
A forum on the topic of NXHD/Scope 3 reduction was held, with approximately 140 participants.
