A spectacular performance: Naoya Inoue announces "Play ball" next to Ohtani, Yoshiki plays the national anthem of both countries live, and Fukudome throws the ceremonial first pitch
"Cubs vs Dodgers" (18th, Tokyo Dome)
Naoya Inoue, the unified professional boxing world super bantamweight champion in four organizations, served as the play ball announcement.
The play ball call is an event where celebrities, fans, and related parties declare "play ball" before a major league game. Standing next to Shohei Ohtani, who was about to bat, Inoue declared, "I declare the opening of the MLB season in 2025. Let's play ball." As the stadium erupted in cheers, he shot a quick glance at Ohtani and left the stadium.
With the MLB opening day approaching, a spectacular ceremony was held 30 minutes before the game.
The countdown began 60 seconds before the game, and the stadium went dark as soon as it hit zero. A boy holding a Pokemon ball took to the mound to pitch. Next, Japanese players who had played in the MLB were shown on the stadium's screen, followed by footage of the Super Team players.
Next, the reserve players from both teams entered the field, greeted by Pikachu wearing the uniforms of their respective teams, accompanied by Pokemon music performed by the Ryuma Quartet, a band consisting of a Tsugaru shamisen, a bamboo flute, a hand drum, and a violin.
Afterwards, the coaches and starting lineups of both teams were announced. The first to be called was the Dodgers' No. 1/DH Shohei Ohtani, and when he appeared, the stadium erupted in cheers. Applause was given to each player, and when the Cubs' No. 2/DH Seiya Suzuki and starting Shota Imanaga were called, the cheers were especially loud.
The climax of the event was when YOSHIKI appeared. He played the national anthems of both Japan and the United States live on a piano placed near center field. The fans in the stadium suddenly went silent as they listened to the music. Finally, the first pitch was thrown, and Kosuke Fukudome appeared in a Cubs uniform with the number "1" on his back. He threw a strike to close the ceremony.
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