Kochi Prefecture's first women's hardball baseball club team "10 Carat Express"

"10 Carat Express" is Kochi's first women's hardball baseball club team formed in April 2022. This time, I would like to introduce Mr. Yumoto Murakami and the voices of the players. Pay attention to the players who follow their dreams!

I'm excited about the game!

Baseball is a popular sport for a wide range of generations, from children to adults. In such a world of baseball, women's baseball is hot now! In April 2022, Kochi Prefecture launched the 10 Carat Express (Ten Carat Express) team. At the same time, in the Chugoku and Shikoku regions, the “Ruby League” started, the Chugoku and Shikoku Women's Rigid Baseball League. The Ruby League has a three-part system with 19 teams (1st division: 7 teams, 2: 6 teams, 3: 6 teams), and 10 Carat Express currently belongs to 3 parts. Therefore, the interview team watched the official game of Ruby League held in September 2023, the match between 10 Carat Express VS Muroto High School.

The game has a seven-inning system, and the other rules are the same as JABA (Japan Baseball Federation).

On a good day, the game started at 13:00. The players played aggressively, and after being scored first, they caught up with a skillful attack. In addition, players who came to the base with foreball boldly challenged stealing. Even during the defending time, "Nice Ball!" "Another ball!" The fielders shouted loudly to the battery, and the outfielders were fighting as a team, such as taking out a brilliant catch.

What was most impressive was that the players were smiling all the time and playing with the rattle. That’s the same for 10 Carat Express and Muroto High School. I am impressed by the appearance of throwing, hitting and running with all my might! This one I was watching makes me feel better.

The game was an antagonistic development in the early stages, but 10 Carat Express scored a large score at once with a round of runners onslaught in the table 7 times. There was an exhilarating hit that passed through the outfield, and it was a wonderful victory.

Interview with Director Yumoto Murakami

After the game, we spoke with Director Yumoto Murakami.

ー You have been participating in the Ruby League since this season, how about the excitement of women's baseball?

Murakami: "Baseball was once recognized as being played by men, but recently I think that the popularity of women's baseball has gradually increased. In fact, the Women's Baseball World Cup is also being held, and Japan is in a row for six consecutive victories as of 2023! The conditions of the field are the same as those of men, and if you see them throwing and hitting hard balls, you will surely find it interesting."

ーYes, I felt the fun up close today! The play of the players is really refreshing. In fact, women's high school baseball is popular in Kochi.

Director Murakami "Kochi Chuo High School and Muroto High School, there are two powerful women's hardball baseball clubs. A lot of players are playing, but until now, after graduation, there was no place to continue playing women's baseball in Kochi Prefecture. 10 companies in Kochi Prefecture gathered to form a team (as of January 2024, 12 companies) in Kochi Prefecture wanted them to continue pursuing their dreams even after they became members of society. The establishment of a team also includes the desire to rejuvenate Kochi Prefecture through sports and to aim for regional revitalization."

ー I heard that the number of players has increased compared to the beginning of the establishment.

Director Murakami "As of October 2023, there are 14 staff members. Players usually participate in practice and games while working as members of society and studying as students. Every Wednesday night and Saturday, Sunday and public holidays are practice days. We also play games during the weekend of the season. Most of the players currently enrolled were not scouted by me, but they gathered by inviting their friends, saying, "I want to play hardball in Kochi Prefecture." I’m glad you have set up a team.”

What is the history of the players?

Murakami: "Some players have played baseball for many years in Kochi Prefecture, while others have come to Kochi Prefecture from outside the prefecture to play baseball. There are different ages, and each person has a unique personality. In the future, I would like to try out and increase the number of members."

- Manager Murakami has a career in Kochi Fighting Dogs, has been selected as the best nine three times, and has a history of winning the robbery King. Is there anything you tell the players from your own experience?

Director Murakami "Of course I was grateful for the environment where baseball can be played, but when I left the player, I realized again that I was able to play baseball with the support and cooperation of various people. I often hear that "Independence leagues have low salaries", but no, how grateful it is just to play baseball and get money? 10 Carat Express players don't get money on baseball, but they're persistently saying that they're playing baseball with a lot of support, such as providing a practice environment and providing tools. I don't just thank you, but I have to take action, so I'm talking about focusing on baseball results, community contribution activities, and women's baseball promotion activities."

ーHow do you feel during the game?

Director Murakami "I'm doing a lot of simulations. We have decided on a starting line in anticipation of the game development. Of course, I don't mind. There are things that you have never experienced before. There was once such a game in 2023, and at that time I thought I would put the worst case in my mind. From my past experience, I imagine the psychological state of the players and make a voice appropriate for each occasion of a pinch opportunity."

ーPlease tell us about your future goals.

Director Murakami "It is to win the Women's Baseball Tournament and the All Japan Women's Rigid Baseball Championship and become the best in Japan. I want to be the best in Japan and excite Kochi Prefecture. In addition, I would like to continue to contribute to the local community. I want to be a team where everyone in Kochi can say, "I was inspired by 10 Carat Express." Of course, we will continue to build a team that will make the players themselves feel good at doing 10 Carat Express."

Voices of Players

Next, we asked the players how they started playing baseball and their current thoughts.

First of all, Reina Hirouchi, number 7.

"I'm from Kochi Prefecture. I thought my younger brother was playing baseball and it seemed fun, so I started in the third grade of elementary school. When I was a junior high school student, I joined a softball club team, but after all, I wanted to continue playing baseball, so I went to Muroto High School, where the women's baseball club is located, and lived in a dormitory. After graduating, I went to Kochi University of Technology and joined the men's hard baseball club. But I couldn't do it as I expected among the men, so I left. At that time, I wanted to play a game and play baseball. At that time, I learned about the establishment of 10 Carat Express. I was lost because there was a blank for about two years, but baseball was the only thing I had been doing since I was a child, and I didn't like incomplete combustion, so I decided to participate. Right now I play baseball while I'm busy every day, but the "fun" is winning. The fun of baseball is, of course, team play. If you fail, help each other, and if you play well, you will be happy. Our team is all very close and we have a good day every day.”

Next is the number 27, Minami Teramura.

"I'm from Kochi Prefecture. I started playing baseball when I was in the first grade of elementary school who lived in Osaka. When my brother started learning baseball, I was practicing and watching my brother and my father's catchball, when I noticed, I was wearing a uniform (laughs). After that, when I was in the third grade of elementary school, I returned to Kochi and belonged to the local youth baseball team until the third grade of junior high school. When I was in my third year of junior high school, I thought I would quit baseball. However, I couldn't give up, so I went to Kyoto Ryoyo High School, which was the third year of the Women's Baseball Club. When I told my parents that I wanted to do it, I let them go and lived in a dormitory in Kyoto Prefecture. The university proceeded to IPU International Pacific University in Okayama Prefecture, where the women's baseball club is located, and served as captain with the support of everyone.

After graduating from university, I worked for a year away from baseball in Kagawa Prefecture. At that time, I felt like I had a pokan and a hole in my heart. So I made a U-turn to Kochi, and now I am participating in the activities of 10 Carat Express while working as an elementary school teacher in Kochi City. Now that I get a chance and play baseball, I feel that it's fun and I just like baseball. I want to play brightly so that those who watch it can think that it will be fun. The kids at school also saw the poster! I'm going to support you. As a team, I want to be the best in Japan. First of all, I want to work hard to promote Ruby League Division 2.”

Finally, the 17th player, Mayu Okita.

"I'm from Hiroshima Prefecture. My father was the manager of the local youth baseball, and my brother was also on the team. There was baseball nearby, and I started playing baseball in the first grade of elementary school. In junior high school, there is no acceptance of the baseball club, so we go to the handball club. If you think about it now, I think it helped to build my body, but at that time I want to play baseball again! I had a strong feeling. So I consulted with my parents about going to Muroto High School, where the baseball club is located. My parents knew that they wouldn't want to do it once. Kochi Prefecture had no connection or connection, but he was willing to send it out. When I was in high school, I was able to concentrate on baseball. With the support of local people, I have loved Kochi in three years. I wanted to give something back to Kochi, and after graduating, I got a job in Kochi Prefecture. When I was working, I happened to find out about 10 Carat Express. I decided to participate, and now I am working while working. I'm really busy with baseball at the center of my life, but it's fun to play baseball with everyone. Coincidentally, the company I work for is a sponsor of 10 Carat Express and supports my activities. My parents in Hiroshima also come to see the game. From now on, I want to be able to win more.”

At the end

I love baseball! I want to excite Kochi with women's baseball! Do you think the managers and players have reached you? The Ruby League in 2023 has ended, but the players continue to practice at the Kochi Prefecture Eastern Indoor Practice Area, Ino Commercial High School Ground, Shikoku Bank Baseball Team Ground, Inomachi General Athletic Field Baseball Stadium, etc. during the off season. Visits and experiences are accepted at any time. If you are interested, please go and see the players! In addition, let's watch the 2024 Ruby League, which starts in spring, and support the players. Practice information and game information are posted on the official website, so please check it.